She dropped her gaze to her shoes, careful to avoid the area of his lap she’d just vacated, curious or not. She didn’t need visual confirmation to know the man was packing some serious heat. She’d felt it for herself. And he hadn’t even been hard. Just … plentiful.
And I am a crazy person for lusting after a man I just met.
Before she changed her mind and checked out his junk, Zoe took a step back. “I’m all right now, thanks.”
He didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I lost track of time and forgot to eat lunch, that’s all. I’ll grab a snack as soon as I figure out what’s wrong with the mower.”
“You check to make sure it’s got gas?”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “I know I’m just a dumb girl, but yes. Even I know to check the gas.”
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Just starting at the top of my mental checklist. No need to get your back up. You mind if I take a look?”
She did mind. She wanted to figure it out on her own. She also needed to get the lawn mowed before the realtor came by to see the house the next day, and she was burning daylight.
In the end, common sense won out. She could mess with the thing for the next week and not figure out why it wouldn’t start. She didn’t have that kind of time.
Swallowing her pride, she waved a hand at the offending machine. “Have at it.”
Zoe watched Aidan as he bent over the mower. She hadn’t had time to appreciate his looks the morning they’d met. He was tall, over six feet if she had to guess. There was a hint of ink on his right biceps, but from her angle she couldn’t tell what the tattoo might be. His broad shoulders tapered to a lean waist. His biceps were thick, his forearms ropy and lightly dusted with the same dark hair that covered his head and jaw.
In a word, he was hot.
And off-limits.
Hadn’t she affirmed it not five minutes ago? She’d given up guys like Aidan—the too-sexy-for-their-own-good bad boys of the world.
Although, Max couldn’t hold a candle to what Aidan had going on in the looks and body department. But, it didn’t take a genius to know Aidan was the owner of the motorcycle she’d heard coming and going since the morning they’d met. Now that she thought about it, he’d worn a leather jacket that morning, as well. And, he had a mental checklist for fixing things.
He basically checked off all the boxes on her mental checklist.
You’re not even in the market for a man, so stop acting like you are.
She had more important things to think about. Like how long she could afford to stay in her grandad’s house before she went broke.
The sound of the mower starting up snagged her attention.
Well, that hadn’t taken long. “What was wrong with it?” she yelled over the noise.
Aidan reached down and did something that cut off the engine.
“The kill switch was tripped.” He kneeled and encouraged her to do the same. “See this here?” He pointed to a tiny black lever. “It has to be in this position for the mower to start.” He flicked it back and forth to demonstrate, leaving it in what she could only assume was the correct position.
“A switch,” she spat, disgusted with herself. “Are you kidding me? A freaking switch?”
“A kill switch. On this particular mower, you’ll use it to kill the engine when you’re done mowing. Hence the name,” he offered with a grin.
Zoe rolled her eyes toward the sky. She knew what came next. That smug, superior male attitude. She just wanted to get it over with so she could go inside and have a peanut butter sandwich. And maybe a glass of wine. To hell with mowing the stupid yard today. “Go ahead and say it.”
“Say what?”
“That I’m an idiot.”
His head jerked back. “Why the hell would I say that?”
Zoe straightened from her crouch. Aidan followed suit. “Because I’ve been trying to start that thing for over an hour and the only thing stopping me was a stupid switch.”
“Are you a lawn mower mechanic?”
“Are you?”
“No, but I’ve worked on engines and motors my whole life. It makes sense that I would know what to do.”
“And the fact that you’re a guy has nothing to do with it?”
Aidan frowned, clearly not pleased with her assumption. “I don’t know why my gender would make a difference. I know plenty of guys who don’t know their ass from a kill switch and plenty of women who do. Having balls doesn’t mean jack shit without the knowledge, sweetheart. Tell me, what do you do for a living?”
“I don’t know why that has—”
“I’m making a point. Answer the question.”
Easier said than done. She quit her crappy clerk job at the DMV when she left Carson City, so technically she was unemployed.
“I’m a graphic artist,” she told him. She had the associate’s degree to prove it. Someday soon, she’d have the job, too. Maybe even a bachelor’s degree in media arts. Once she dealt with her grandfather’s estate and got the hell out of Nevada. She’d already applied to several colleges in California, her top pick being Platt College in San Diego.
“See? There you go.” He dipped his chin in that smug way she’d expected.
“There I go, what?”
“I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler. Do you think that makes me an idiot?”
“No.”
“So, would you think I’m an idiot if I asked you to help me draw one?”
She bit the inside of her lip to keep from laughing. Point taken. “Of course not.”
“Then how does not knowing about a kill switch on a lawn mower and asking for expert help make you an idiot?”
“Expert help, huh?”
One of his brows went up. “Answer the question, Zoe.”
Zoe smiled her first real smile in … months. “It doesn’t.”
“Damn right it doesn’t.” His chin dipped again, sharper this time, declaring an end to the topic as sure as if he were a judge banging a gavel. “Now, why don’t you go inside and grab that snack while I take care of this for you.”
She dropped her hands to her hips. “Thanks for showing me how to get it started, but you don’t have to mow my yard. I can do it.”
“Of course you can, but I want to do it. I need some physical activity. I was going to head for a run, but this works, too. And you said it yourself. You skipped lunch. There’s no sense making yourself sick.”
“I’m fi—”
“In fact,” he said cutting her off. “Why don’t you make it a light snack and I’ll take you out for something more substantial once I get done and grab a quick shower? I can knock this out in no time, so how about I come get you in about an hour?”
“You don’t have to take me out for dinner.”
“Is this going to be a thing we do? Because it would be much easier if you’d take my words for face value. I don’t generally say things I don’t mean, and rarer still do I do anything out of pity, which is how you make it sound when you question my motives.” He tapped a finger against the edge of the mower’s handle. “I’ll say it again. I’d like to take you out to dinner because I want to spend some time with you, not because I feel obligated.”
“Why?” she asked, immediately kicking herself for opening her big mouth. They shared a common connection. He probably just wanted to talk about her grandad. Share some stories and a friendly meal with someone who knew him.
Yeah. Okay. She could do that. With the exception of a few visits from Aidan’s parents, Zoe had been alone for the last few weeks. The company would be nice.
As for her unreasonable attraction to him, well, she’d just have to lock that shit down. Chalk it up to her body not getting the memo from her brain about changing her type.
She didn’t realize she’d been staring off into space until Aidan raised her chin with the edge of his finger, capturing her gaze. He hummed, low and deep. “Blue.”
Blue? “What?”
/>
“Your eyes,” he murmured. “I couldn’t tell what color they were the night we met. It’s been driving me crazy ever since.” His thumb traced the line of her jaw, putting all of her senses on high alert. “That’s why.”
The heat burning in his gaze was anything but friendly.
It was downright sinful.
Damn.
“I guess you’ve got yourself a date.”
6
Life was funny sometimes. Aidan had never knocked on Boss’s front door before. He certainly never expected that the first time he did, it would be to pick up Boss’s granddaughter for a date.
Yet, here he was. And damn happy about it, too.
The door swung open. “Hi, I’m almost…” Zoe’s pretty smile slowly died as she took in his clothes.
Aidan glanced down at himself. He had on his standard off-duty fare of T-shirt—black tonight, jeans—faded, but clean—leather jacket, and boots. Since she was dressed much like him, Aidan was pretty sure it wasn’t his choice of attire that had her frowning.
He followed her gaze over his right shoulder to the Harley parked in the driveway.
“Have you ridden before?” It was ridiculous to hope she hadn’t, but the minute the question was out of his mouth, he wanted her answer to be no. He wanted to be her first.
“Yes, I have.”
Ahh, hope dashed with three little words. It was hard to be disappointed, though. First ride or not, he was about to find out how she felt pressed around him. He couldn’t wait. “Great. It’s a nice night. I thought we could take a ride after we eat.”
The indecision in her expression gave his ego a hit. He’d gotten his first dirt bike when he was seven. He’d literally been riding for most of his life.
“I’ll keep you safe. Got a helmet for you and everything.”
Her back was a little stiffer than he’d like. He was hoping to start getting to know her tonight. It seemed he wasn’t off to a very good start.
Damn, she was guarded. And prickly. After that shit earlier, he couldn’t help feeling as if he was taking the brunt of someone else’s mistakes. He’d admit they hadn’t met under the best circumstances, but if she gave him half a chance, he would prove to her that he wasn’t some asshole who went around sneaking into people’s homes in the middle of the night and scaring the shit out of unsuspecting women.
Fucking hell. That’s exactly what he’d done though, wasn’t it?
Aidan scrubbed a hand over his jaw and tried again.
“If you’d rather not take the bike, I’ll go grab a car.” His dad had an impressive classic car collection. “There’s a ’69 Cougar convertible in the garage that I wouldn’t mind taking for a spin.”
Finally, she threw him a bone. A tiny twitch at the corner of her mouth, but he’d take it.
“The bike is fine. Let me grab a coat and we can go.”
She left the door open as she turned back into the house. He stepped over the threshold, pausing to admire the perfect way her jeans hugged her heart-shaped ass. He lowered his gaze to the backs of her thighs, then lower still, to the warm brown boots that almost reached her knees.
Those weren’t fuck-me heels, but as far as Aidan was concerned they might as well be. She looked sexy and comfortable and ready for anything.
His favorite trifecta.
He looked up in time to watch her work her long hair into a messy bunch at the back of her neck, then shrug into a rust-colored leather jacket that hugged her curves like a dream.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
“Ready.”
Aidan wrapped a hand around her wrist, stopping her as she tried to pass.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
“No, I—”
“The alarm.”
She waved him off. “I don’t usually set it. It’ll be okay.”
“Like it was okay the other night when I got in?” It was a safe neighborhood, but she was in Boss’s house alone. She had a way to protect herself. She should use it.
“Doesn’t count. You had a key. You would’ve gotten in even if I had set the alarm.”
“If you had set the alarm, you might have heard me coming.”
Her eyes narrowed on him with an adorable pique. Aidan had to fight the urge to kiss her. Damn. He didn’t know what it was about this girl that intrigued him, but he wanted to find out.
He gave her wrist a little squeeze. “Please, Zoe.”
“Fine.” Under his fingers, her pulse sped. “If it’ll get us out the door faster, I’ll set the damn thing. But,” she warned, “only because I’m starving and don’t want to stand here arguing with you.”
“Duly noted.” Then, because the urge was too strong to resist, he swooped down and placed a swift kiss on her cheek. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah.” A pretty blush colored her face as she playfully shoved him out the door. “Go on, then, and let me set it.”
She closed the door in his face. He heard her mumble that she hoped she remembered the alarm code.
“If you don’t, you can use mine,” he yelled through the wood.
The door jerked open again with such force, Aidan took a step back.
“I might have to take you up on that, Mr. Eavesdropper, since I haven’t used the system since I got here.”
Aidan grumbled. “But you’ll use it going forward, right?”
“Is this a thing we’re going to do?” she asked, mimicking his earlier words. “You tell me what to do and then expect me to comply?”
Oh, didn’t that just give a guy ideas. Filthy ones he wanted to clean up with his tongue. “Works for me.”
The light, airy sound of her laugh wrapped around him, cinching something deep within his chest. “I’ll bet.”
Side-by-side, they walked to the motorcycle. Aidan grabbed the extra helmet, happy that her earlier irritation seemed to have evaporated.
“Does it have a name?” she asked.
He stared at the helmet, confused. “Why would I name it?”
She snatched the helmet from him. “Not this. The bike.” He must still look as confused as he felt because she explained further, “My ex had a motorcycle. Damn thing was his whole world. He belonged to a club, actually. He called his bike Thor.”
Aidan snorted. Seriously? Her ex should have his man card revoked. “Is that why he’s your ex?”
“What do you mean?”
Aidan threw a leg over the bike, settling onto the seat. “Because he fantasized about having the god of thunder between his legs instead of you?”
Zoe cracked up, her laughter quickly becoming his favorite sound. “I never thought of it that way before.”
Aidan offered her a hand. She accepted his help this time without argument—progress—and slid onto the seat behind him.
“Well, I hate to break it to you, sunshine, but this bike doesn’t have a name. It’s a vehicle, not a person. Just an enjoyable way to get from place to place.” And it occasionally provided mental salvation, but she didn’t need to know that.
There was something else he needed to know, though.
“This ex of yours … he the one who broke his promise not to hurt you?”
She stiffened the slightest bit.
“What makes you think anyone hurt me?” She didn’t look at him as she pulled on the helmet, probably believing that would end the conversation.
Nice try, sweetheart.
Aidan put his on, and then spoke, knowing she’d hear him loud and clear through the speakers inside her helmet. “The night we met, I told you I wasn’t going to hurt you. You said you’ve heard that before. I can only assume the reason you thought I would break my word is because someone already had.” When she fumbled with the strap, he knew he was spot on. “Do you need help with that?”
Her gaze snapped up. “I got it.”
Aidan turned, hiding his smile. So damned independent. A refreshing change from the women he was used to—needy, clingy women looking to land a SEAL.
; He started the bike. Without being told, her arms slid around his waist. She adjusted until her knees hugged his hips and her chest was pressed against his back. She was a natural. Her hold on his waist was firm and confident. And she felt good against him, like he suspected she would.
They were barely out of the drive before she asked, “Where are we going?”
“I know you’re starving, but if you don’t mind a bit of a ride, I’ve got a place in mind. It’s about forty minutes from here, give or take. I promise it’ll be worth the wait.”
“I’m game.” After a moment, she sighed. Loudly. “And naming the bike isn’t why my ex is my ex. His love for his motorcycle was part of the reason, but the biggest reason was because he broke my nose.”
“What the fuck?” His outburst caused the bike to wobble.
“Aidan!” Zoe’s fingers dug into his sides. Her knees tightened around his hips as he steadied the wheels.
“Sorry.” Jesus. “Sorry.”
“You okay?”
“Yep.” The sudden urge to find her ex and break his fucking nose notwithstanding. “I’m good. You wanna tell me what happened?”
Another sigh hit his ears. “We were at his club one night and one of his buddies was hitting on me pretty hard. They started discussing having a threesome as if it were a given. At first, I thought Max—that’s my ex—was joking around, but they got pretty graphic. Then, Max started trying to touch me in front of the guy. I told them both to fuck off. Max called me a fickle bitch and shoved me. I tripped and hit a table with my face. I guess that means the table actually broke my nose, not Max.” Her fingers flexed against his sides. “Either way, that was it. I was done. I’m not into being shared, and I’m not into bullies who act like children when they don’t get their way.”
Aidan fought to keep his temper in check. True, gut-deep anger wasn’t something he experienced very often, but he was close. So fucking close.
“Do you still hear from him?”
“Sometimes. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong. He drove me to the hospital, bitching about how my being clumsy ruined the night. Once we got to the emergency room, I told him we were through. He doesn’t seem to agree, but I’ve stopped responding to his calls and texts.”
Hot SEAL, Vegas Nights Page 4
