Mr. O'Grady's Magic Box (14 page)

"We need to leave soon." The spell was
broken and they pulled away as Reece burst into the room radiating
with excitement.

Aubrey brushed her hand over her apron,
feeling ridiculously self-conscious. She forced herself not to look
at Ian and focused her attention on Reece.

Reece's face broke into a grin that
resembled his brother's easy smile.

Good Lord, even when she wasn't looking at
Ian, his face haunted her.

"Oh, hi, Miss Jules. I didn't expect to see
you here. I have a soccer game this morning." He chuckled. "I guess
you could have figured it out yourself." He glanced down at his
blue and white soccer uniform he wore with pride.

Her lips curved. "I love soccer. I played
the game when I was in high school."

"Really?" His eyes lit up with interest.
"Hey, would you like to come watch me play? It's going to be one
heck of a game. We're playing one of the top teams."

She glanced at Ian who had been watching her
as he leaned against the counter in a nonchalant pose. "If your
brother doesn't mind me tagging along."

Those gorgeous eyes locked onto her with
warmth, and she thought she'd burst into flames if he didn't look
away soon. "I'd be delighted, but I must warn you I tend to get
involved."

"The referee almost banned him from the game
last time," Reece told her with pride, as if this was something to
brag about.

Ian gave her a sheepish grin and a shrug.
"He's exaggerating." His attention turned to his brother and he
threw the wadded up paper towel at him.

Reece ducked and laughed. "You have to be
quicker, old man."

"Old —is that so?" He lunged, going
after Reece who tore out of the kitchen.

Aubrey beamed, enjoying the family
banter.

"You seem to be getting on fine with my
grandson, Ian." Mr. O'Grady had been awfully quiet, unusual for a
man who seemed to have a lot to say. He leaned against the counter
as he eyed her curiously.

"I…" she cleared her throat. "I like both
your grandsons. They're good men." She removed her apron and handed
it to Mr. O'Grady. "Like their grandfather." She gave his hand an
affectionate squeeze. "Thank you for the baking lesson."

"Anytime, lass." His eyes twinkled and his
lips curved as if he had a secret he was unwilling to reveal. "Have
yourself a good time today."

Chapter Twenty-Four

Reece's magic on the field always impressed
Ian. His quick reflexes stopped the other team from scoring
numerous times with cheers from the bleachers to encourage his
performance. Aubrey brought her camera and snapped a few shots,
promising Reece beforehand she'd email him the copies so he could
share them with his friends. The park where Reece's team played had
bleachers situated at both sides of the field for the parents and
onlookers to sit on as they watched the game. With both teams
evenly matched, the tension rose a few notches as both teams'
onlookers cheered and stomped his or her feet in anticipation of
who would win.

The referees weren't letting anything slide
today. They called everything and anything they deemed a foul. The
referee with the dark hair stationed on their side of the field
raised the flag and the game skidded to a halt.

"Oh come on, Ref!" Ian stood and shouted
when the referee pointed to Reece, claiming he purposely stepped on
a player. "Are you blind? The guy tried to trip Reece and ended up
underneath him," Ian offered his opinion with a few of the parents
around him clamoring in agreement.

The ref turned and pointed to him, his eyes
pinning him down. "You in the bleachers. One more word out of you
and your team will forfeit. Am I clear?"

It had only been the third time he spoke his
opinion and it was duly needed, but Aubrey placed a hand on his
arm, hoping to quiet him.

He glanced at her. "You saw it, didn't you?"
He pointed toward the field.

"I did." She tugged on his arm again, and he
plopped down with a huff of indignation. She slipped her arm
through his, giving him a nudge as she leaned into him. "Don't
worry. Reece's team is still ahead even if the other team makes
this kick."

Every muscle in Ian's body was tense and
ready to spring. He took a deep breath and let it out again. "Sorry
for being so riled up," he apologized as he waited to see how the
other team faired.

"No need. It's fun to watch you."

Ian's gaze riveted to hers and found her
grinning at him. "Yeah, is that so?" She looked cute with her
floppy straw hat and wisps of golden hair peeking out. His gaze
shifted to her lips, pink and soft and too tempting to ignore. He
leaned down and kissed her, not caring who watched them.

Shouts of encouragement and stomping feet
pulled them apart. They both stood to find out what happened. Reece
stole the ball and was high-tailing it down the field. He kicked
the ball and it flew by the goalie, scoring. A roar of shouts rose.
The man behind Ian pounded on the bench and whistled with two
fingers in his mouth. The long high-pitched trill rang like a blow
horn, deafening them. Aubrey didn't seem to care as she jumped up
and down and clapped her hands.

"That was unbelievable."

It was. Ian stared at her, loving the sound
of her laugh and loving the way she genuinely enjoyed being here to
cheer for his brother. He could imagine more days like this one,
with them together as a…family. He swallowed the lump in his
throat. It had been a long time since he thought of having a woman
in his life, one who would accept his brother, too. He raised Reece
as if he was his own child. If he settled down with one woman,
she'd have to be willing to accept the whole package.

Would Aubrey stay if he asked? She lived in
Seattle, too far to commute. Would she even consider relocating?
Would he? Yes, if he could hire someone reliable to help out his
granddad at the inn. Aubrey loved her job, the passion showed in
her writing. There was always the possibility she could keep her
job and live here, too. She told him how she loved California's
weather. Couldn't most of her work be sent by email?

He was probably getting ahead of himself
here, but the excitement of the game and her sharing the day with
him had him hoping for the future.

She turned and threw her arms around his
neck. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. God, she
felt so warm and soft and her special scent, all hers, filled his
senses.

She didn't leave his embrace but pulled back
to look at him, still grinning from ear to ear. "Thanks for letting
me share this with you."

"You're welcome." But it was he who should
be thanking her. He couldn't remember the last time he felt
contented to have a woman at his side.

They didn't move, her incredible eyes
studying him with solemn interest. Their bodies were pressed
together, and for a moment, the cheers and cries of triumph receded
until all he could hear was their breathing. All he could feel was
the beat of her heart thudding against his chest. He tipped her hat
back and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers. He recognized the
rugged heat, the sweet roll of desire and deepened the kiss.

"Hey, Quinn, do you mind taking a seat,
pal."

Brian Duffy's gruff voice broke the spell
and they pulled apart. Aubrey chuckled and covered her mouth with
her hand.

Ian turned toward Brian with his palms up.
"Duffy, give a guy a break, will you?"

Brian waved an annoyed hand at him. "Not
when you're blocking my view, I won't."

Aubrey yanked on his arm and pulled him down
to sit next to her. She leaned against his arm and looked up at him
with a wide grin. God help him, he still loved this woman.

Chapter Twenty-Five

As he pulled out of the parking lot, Ian
thought how he didn't want the day to end. He wanted to hold onto
the sliver of hope that Aubrey and he could find a way back to each
other, not with just their memories of the past, but with something
more substantial. He wanted her back in his life as a friend…a
lover… He never wanted something so much. He loved her ten years
ago with the passion of a young man. Older, and hopefully wiser, he
wanted the chance to prove he was the man for her now.

"You know, you'll have to return me to the
inn sometime." Her voice held a hint of laughter.

Reece managed a ride home with Brian Duffy's
son, Colin. The boys had plans to meet up with a few of the other
boys from the team. Brian's dad promised he'd drive Reece home
later.

Ian's eyes lingered on the curve of Aubrey's
lips before meeting her gaze with a heavy sigh. "If I must, but I
promised you dinner first," he reminded her.

"That's hours away."

"I know, but I'm doing the cooking. It takes
time to prepare." It took time to seduce, too, but he kept that to
himself.

"You can cook?" Her brows rose as if she
doubted his culinary abilities.

"Of course."

She half chuckled. "You're full of
surprises, aren't you, Ian Quinn."

"Is that a yes?"

She chewed on her lower lip as if she were
debating the wisdom of going back to his house. "I really should
put some time in on the article or Loretta will be hopping the next
plane out here to find out why I'm taking so long."

He couldn't let her talk herself out of
this. "I promise, I won't keep you out too late. I can whip up a
chocolate cheese cake to sweeten the deal."

"Bribing with chocolate, are you?" Her
chuckled erased the worried lines on her forehead.

"Is it working?"

She shook her head, but the smile remained.
"Okay, I'm sold."

He forced himself not to grin. He didn't
want to scare her off with his over eagerness to have her alone.
Every minute they had together was a chance for him to win her
over.

He placed an arm around her shoulders and
she turned to look at him with a thoughtful glance. "Ian?"

"Hmm?"

"You know I'm leaving in a few days." The
harmless statement loomed like a threat.

He swallowed hard and gave her a quick nod.
"Maybe I'll convince you to stay awhile longer. He chanced a look
at her. She didn't respond to his statement with words, but her
lips curved.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Ian unlocked his door, letting Aubrey go in
the house ahead of him. His Bassett Hound, Morris, padded across
the room to greet them, his tail wagging with enthusiasm.

"Oh, he's adorable, Ian." Aubrey crouched
down to greet the dog. She scratched behind his ears and Morris
gave her a slobbery kiss, making her laugh.

"Keep that up and you'll have a friend for
life," Ian told her.

"Well, he's a cutie. Aren't you, Morris?"
She lowered her voice as she lavished attention on the Bassett.

"Rr-ruff!"

"Morris obviously agrees with you." Ian
placed his hands on his hips and shook his head. "How about I give
you a tour of the house?"

She gave Morris one more rub and a quick pat
on the back before she stood to her full height. "I'd love a
tour."

She could see all the love and care Ian had
put into the place, adding to the character it already possessed.
Once the renovations were finished, the house would be beautiful
with the wood trim and fine touches he added for character.

Ian ended the tour with the backyard. "You
have an ocean view," she spoke the obvious, walking toward the
waist-high, block wall.

"I have an ocean view?" Ian questioned, his
gaze sweeping over the horizon. "Go figure. I wonder when they put
that there."

She elbowed him with a snort.

"Hey, watch it. You don't want to injure the
chef."

Morris trotted off to sniff around the yard,
giving it a thorough nose-to-the-ground-once-over. Her lips curved
at the memory of her dog she had when she lived at home with her
parents. If Morris was anything like her doggie had been, he was
probably checking to make sure no stray cats had wandered in while
he lounged indoors.

She looked at Ian. His Atlantic blues were
fixed on her. As their gazes locked there was a moment of sizzling
awareness and she swallowed the lump forming in the back of her
throat. Flirting seemed harmless surrounded by people, but now they
were alone at his house.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" Ian's
voiced sounded rough and sultry at the same time. He cleared his
throat, making his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed
hard.

Was he as nervous as she felt? Somehow that
only endeared him more to her. It meant he didn't make a habit of
bringing home women on a regular basis. "I'd love some." It would
give her hands something to do other than putting them on him.

The wind chimes hanging from the patio
overhead-cover chimed like tinkling bells as the moon and stars
blew in the breeze. Morris came bounding over to sit under it with
his tail wagging. He gave three sharp barks then looked at Ian and
her before looking back at the hanging chimes again.

Aubrey lifted a brow at the strange
behavior.

"He talks to the faeries," Ian said with a
shrug.

Her gaze riveted to his. "The faeries?" Was
he joking?

His too beautiful mouth slid into a grin.
"It's the only thing I can come up with for my dog's odd
behavior."

She looked back to Morris who did look like
he was carrying on a conversation.

"Ready for that wine now?" Ian asked.

"Sure." She glanced back over her shoulder
at Morris who seemed too content to talk to the faeries to follow
them inside. She left the French doors open in case Morris changed
his mind.

In the kitchen, she plopped down on the bar
stool at the counter while Ian conjured up glasses and a wine
bottle. He did the honors of pouring and handed her a glass. "To
new beginnings."

She hesitated for half a second before
clinking her glass against his. "To new beginnings." She took a
generous sip.