“You know, this was your idea,” Baird teased her and Aislinn caught herself laughing up at him.
“I know. I'm being ridiculous. Tell me why you moved your practice here,” Aislinn said to deflect the conversation from what they were about to go do. She could all but see a neon sign blinking SEX in her head.
“I needed a change. I love Galway, but something called me here. I've been here several times. Take a long weekend, drive down the coast, stare at the water. I don't know how to explain it. I just needed to be in Grace's Cove. I saved a bunch of money from my practice and decided to take a hiatus down here. I can't imagine that my practice will be as busy as in Galway but I'm sure that I'll eventually be able to build up a clientele. If not, well, I'll cross that road when I get to it,” Baird said and shrugged.
Aislinn wondered if the cove really was what had called him. It wouldn't be the strangest thing that had happened in this town.
“I wouldn't be surprised if you have a bustling practice here,” Aislinn mused.
“You think? I often find with small towns that people are reluctant to try therapy of any sort,” Baird said eagerly, the passion for his business lacing his voice.
“Oh, I'm certain you'll find Grace's Cove to be unlike most small towns that you know,” Aislinn laughed softly.
“You'll have to explain that sometime. I'd love to learn more about this town,” Baird said, raising an eyebrow as they approached his building.
“Well, I’m sure you've heard all sorts of rumors,” Aislinn began and Baird stopped her.
“Another time,” Baird insisted and pulled her hand to his heart before leaning down to brush a kiss over her lips. Aislinn felt a warm ball of lust begin to pulse low in her stomach.
Baird turned and slipped the key into the lock on his door, pulling Aislinn along with him into the small stairwell that led to the second floor.
“The apartment isn't much, but the view was worth it,” Baird said as they climbed the worn wooden stairs.
“I can imagine. I'm in love with the water here,” Aislinn said and bumped into Baird's back as he stopped and turned to look at her.
“In love with it? Interesting phrase,” Baird said.
“Don't think too deeply about it, Dr. Delaney.” Aislinn smiled up at him though her head swarmed with thoughts. She supposed it was part of his job, to analyze underlying meanings.
“I'm not. Just interesting. There's a serious difference between loving something and being in love,” Baird said as he continued down the hallway to a small door painted a cheerful red. Aislinn leaned against the wall and watched Baird as he unlocked the door.
“I suppose there is, then,” Aislinn said softly.
Baird met her eyes before pushing the door open.
“Welcome,” he said and gestured for her to step into his home.
Aislinn brushed past Baird and felt a shiver run over her body at his nearness. She was trying hard to keep her mental shields up, but Baird just seemed to pulse with a heady combination of lust, intelligence, and warmth. She took a deep breath as she walked across his small living room to stand at the window.
“The moon is bright tonight,” Aislinn said.
Baird kept the light off and walked across the room to join her at the window. Aislinn trembled as he stepped behind her and looked over her shoulder at the water that spread before them.
“Aye, it is at that. Just look at that sky,” Baird said.
The moon hung like a fat globe in the sky, its soft white light tracing a path across the calm water of the harbor. Stars winked along the horizon and Aislinn ached to paint the romance of the harbor.
“If I painted this, I would call it Mermaid's Light,” Aislinn mused.
“That's sweet. What would you paint it in?”
“Probably watercolors. Just to get that fine blurring at the edges…see where the sky meets the line of the water and how they blend softly together? Watercolors would be perfect for that,” Aislinn said.
“Blending. I like that. Isn't that sort of what we are doing here?” Baird asked. Aislinn jumped a bit as he ran his hands down her arms before circling her waist. Nerves kicked in for a moment but she blew out a breath. There was no denying her attraction for Baird, but he carried with him the threat of a real relationship. One which Aislinn wasn't certain she could handle. But, if tonight was all she was going to allow herself with him then she was going to go all in, Aislinn thought.
Aislinn turned in Baird's arms and looked up at him from under her eyelids.
“There hasn't been much blending going on as of yet, has there?” Aislinn said cheekily and Baird huffed out a soft laugh before pulling her tight against his chest.
Aislinn gasped as her breasts brushed the hard muscles of his chest. Though he was brainy as all get out, Baird had clearly not neglected his body. Aislinn imagined that more than one of his patients had a crush on him. Moonlight slashed across his face, highlighting the intensity in his eyes. Aislinn met his gaze. A strong surge of lust snapped between them.
Baird shook his head and stared down at her mouth. “You shouldn't be beautiful.”
Aislinn's mouth dropped open and she smacked him on the chest but he held her tight to him.
“Your face. It's a mixture of all of these really interesting contrasting elements. It shouldn't work but it does. It could stop a man at ten paces.”
Aislinn gaped at him, lost in his words, in the lust and light that emanated from him.
“You're not so bad yourself, Dr. Yum,” Aislinn said with a smile.
Baird's eyebrows drew together in confusion. “Dr. Yum?”
Aislinn laughed and stretched up to nip his bottom lip. “Yum,” she purred.
“Ah,” Baird said as he brushed his lips softly across hers and Aislinn felt heat build low in her belly. She slid her hands up his chest and wrapped them around his neck. Pulling his head closer, Aislinn poured herself into the kiss. She allowed her shields to drop and Baird's feelings washed over her. It was like his lust punched her in the gut and Aislinn staggered against his lips. Lust, tinged with a hint of yearning. Aislinn's heart did a little spin at the thought and she desperately tried to stay focused on the physical sensations that Baird was building in her body.
“You taste like the moon…cool heat,” Baird murmured against her lips.
“Ah, a poet you are,” Aislinn said as Baird began to walk backwards with her in his arms.
“A hobby,” Baird admitted. He turned and pulled her down a dark hallway towards the bedroom. He moved through a doorway and bent to switch on a small table lamp that sat on the floor in the corner. Boxes lined the room and a king bed dominated the rest of the small space.
Scared that Baird would back out – that she would lose this one night with him – Aislinn stepped to Baird and pushed him backwards towards the bed until the back of his legs hit the bed.
Nudging him gently until he sat back on the mattress, Aislinn met his eyes before reaching down and pulling the hem of her dress over her head. Satisfaction filled her when Baird's mouth dropped open at the sight of her bright purple lace bra and thong. Though Aislinn wasn't overweight, she also wouldn't throw herself in the slim category either. She had enough curves to make her purple lace interesting and when Baird immediately reached his hands out to cup her breasts, she smiled. Purple lace for the win, she thought.
“Sweet Jesus,” Baird whispered as he cupped her breasts in his hands. Aislinn shivered as he brushed his thumbs over her nipples.
“I like colorful underwear,” Aislinn said.
“And for that, I thank you,” Baird said. Aislinn shrieked as he scooped her up and tossed her on the bed. Bouncing once, her hair tumbled down from its pin and she glared up at him from under a mop of curls. Her mouth dropped open as Baird stripped his shirt off and stood before her in his fitted jeans and glasses.
Pushing her hair out of her face she glared at him. “Real smooth.”
Baird laughed and unbuckled his jeans, peeling the
m down muscular legs. Aislinn gaped at his boxer briefs, where his desire for her was clearly evident. Baird climbed onto the bed and kneeled over her, bracing his arms on either side of her shoulders.
Leaning down to nip at her bottom lip, Baird winked at her. “While I appreciate that you are a strong, modern woman, I like to do the seducing, Aislinn.”
A shot of pure heat streaked through her and Aislinn's mouth dropped open as he ducked his head to capture her nipple through the lace, teasing it into a taut peak. She moaned as he worked his mouth over her breasts, arching her back to give him better access. Frustrated with the barrier of lace, she reached behind her and released her breasts from the confines of the bra.
Baird moaned as she slipped the bra off and threw it on the floor. He captured her breasts in his large hands and continued to rub her nipples as his mouth worked its way down her soft stomach. A scatter of nerves shot through her as she realized where he was going. Baird's breath was hot against her stomach and he reached down to tug at the slim strap of lace that covered her right hip.
Baird sliced a glance at her. “How attached to these are you?”
“I love them.”
“I'll buy you another pair.” Aislinn's mouth went dry as Baird tore the lace from her body. Baird smiled wickedly at her and moved himself between her legs. She gasped as he bent his head to the V between her legs. Aislinn closed her eyes and allowed herself to be swept away by the emotional and physical sensations that pounded at her. With her mental shields down it was like she was in two places at once. Feeling Baird's lust as his tongue teased her to the point of orgasm was a powerful aphrodisiac. Helpless to stop the wave of sensations that rolled through her, Aislinn shouted to the ceiling as Baird took her over the edge into a searing heat. Aislinn gasped as her legs bucked around his head.
Baird leveraged himself up and kissed his way up her stomach, past her breasts before nuzzling into the soft spot at her neck. Aislinn wrapped her arms around his broad back and pulled him to her, craving the weight of his body.
“Aislinn, you…God. Your body. I want it all,” Baird gasped into her neck.
“I want you too. So badly,” Aislinn whispered and turned her head to catch his lips in a kiss.
“I…I'm not prepared for this,” Baird admitted. It took Aislinn a moment to realize what he meant.
“Oh, I'm on the pill. Same time every morning. We're good.” Aislinn smiled up at him, grateful that he was kind enough to ask.
Baird's eyes narrowed in lust as he realized his last barrier was gone. Aislinn gaped at him as he held himself up on one arm and slid his underwear down with the other, kicking it off of the bed. The strength of this man was phenomenal, she thought right before he slid his body between her legs and eased her knees open.
Baird bent over and captured her bottom lip in his, sucking gently. Pulling back, he bent his forehead to hers.
“I wanted this the minute that I saw you earlier this week. I've never been so powerfully attracted to someone before,” Baird said at her lips.
“Me…me too,” Aislinn admitted nervously.
“I'll have to step up my game on our first real date.” Baird smiled against her mouth and in one smooth movement, thrust deeply inside of her. Aislinn cried out into his mouth, clenching her muscles against the intrusion while her whole body cried out, “Yes!”
Baird didn't wait for her to get accustomed to his length. Instead, he picked up speed, almost seeming to sense that Aislinn was close to another orgasm. Holding on, and matching him thrust for thrust, Aislinn cried out into his mouth as she shattered around him. Her whole body shook with the power of the orgasm and her heart seemed to whisper, “Yes, this one.”
Aislinn held on as Baird found his completion. Pulling him closer, she panted against his shoulder as all of the nerve endings in her body stood to attention. His hard body against her softness seemed like the perfect fit.
Her mind scrambled to understand what had just happened. This wasn't the first time that she'd had casual sex, though she didn't make a habit of it. So why did this feel anything but casual? Her heart pounded in her chest, mimicking the rhythm she felt from his. Beat for beat…they matched each other.
Overwhelmed, Aislinn put her shields up, detaching herself from him emotionally. She smiled against his shoulder and pressed a kiss to his neck.
Baird levered himself up and looked down at her. He'd lost his glasses along the way and the soft light cut across his strong cheekbones. His hair stood out all over the place and Aislinn vaguely remembered running her hands through it and clenching it.
“Where did you go?”
“What?”
“Just now…I felt like you pulled away,” Baird said.
Aislinn gaped at him. There was no way that he could know about her or her power. How in the world could he feel her disconnect?
“I'm right here.” Aislinn smiled at him.
Baird just raised an eyebrow at her.
“Would you stop? Thank you, that was amazing,” Aislinn said.
“You're breathtaking,” Baird said and bent to brush a soft kiss over her lips. Aislinn moaned as he moved from her and rolled to find his underwear.
“I'm going to get a glass of water. Do you want one?”
“Sure. Bathroom?”
Baird gestured to a door down the hallway and Aislinn watched him walk from the room in his boxer briefs, admiring the view.
“Shit, shit, shit,” Aislinn said as she dropped back against the bed. Leaning over, she grabbed her bra and dress from the floor. Aislinn made a beeline for the bathroom to clean herself up a bit. Taking a quick glance in the mirror she sighed at how happy she looked. Bright eyes, a blush across her cheeks and her hair tumbling every which way made her look a little crazy and really sexy. Aislinn pulled her bra on and shimmied into her dress. Knowing that her hair was a total loss, she twisted it into a knot and left the bathroom.
Bypassing the bedroom, Aislinn found Baird in the small kitchen with the glasses of water. Her mouth went dry at seeing him all but naked with his sexy glasses on. He turned to her and her heart dropped as his face fell.
“Going somewhere?”
“Um, well, it's late and I, uh, have to open the store in the morning,” Aislinn finished lamely and lifted her hands. Baird put the glasses down and walked to her, pinning her against the cabinet.
“It's not that late, Aislinn,” Baird said dangerously, his mouth inches from hers.
“I know…I just…I can't stay. Small towns, gossip, you know how it is,” Aislinn said.
“No, I don't. Stay,” Baird said stubbornly, his lips teasing hers.
“I, I can't,” Aislinn whispered against his mouth.
“Why?” Baird demanded.
“Don't, Baird. I, this was great. Truly. Thank you for making it special,” Aislinn said and moved from his arms. Reaching up, she gave him a light kiss and patted his cheek. “I'll see you around.”
Baird watched her as she snagged her purse from the counter and walked to the door.
“What are you running from?”
Aislinn stopped with her hand on the doorknob. This was just as she feared. Dating a psychiatrist would mean that he would be able to see through all her smoke and mirrors to the true vulnerability that lay beneath it all. Certain she was in the right for leaving, Aislinn turned to look at him.
“Sleep well, Dr. Delaney.”
Chapter 3
Baird watched the door close after Aislinn and his hand clenched around the glass of water. Striding across the living room, he stood at the window and watched her hurry down the street as though she couldn’t get away from him fast enough.
“Damn it, Aislinn,” Baird said as he placed his hands against the window. His eyes followed her red dress, standing out in the light of the streetlamps like a beacon, until she turned the corner.
What was she running from? Baird thought as he stared at the water. He'd never felt so connected to someone so quickly before. One-night stands
weren't in his repertoire and it itched at him that she had just left like that after convincing him this was a good idea.
He'd protested, hadn't he? It wasn't like he had used her. In fact, Baird was dangerously close to assuming that he had just been used himself.
But.
There was something there. He knew it. He'd felt it the moment that he had met her at her shop. He'd been captivated by the black-and-white photographs hanging in the window and had rushed eagerly into the shop to see what else the artist had. When Aislinn had turned from the canvas she had been working on in the back, her hair a mess of curls, paint smudges covering her smock, and had met his eyes…he'd been lost. It was like time had simply stopped for a moment. Had her cousin Cait not come into the shop shortly after, Baird was certain he would have done something foolish like ask to buy her a house…or to run away with him.
Baird shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. Moving from the window, he snagged the glass of water and walked back to the bedroom. Aislinn had responded instantly to his touch and he was certain that she had been just as satisfied as him. And, yet. There was that moment afterwards where he sensed that she was withdrawing…building up her boundaries. As a psychiatrist, he was trained to watch for those cues in his patients but it had surprised him that he could all but feel it from Aislinn. But, what had happened to make her step back from him? He'd already been planning on cooking her breakfast and snuggling up to her in his sheets.
Baird groaned as he flopped back against his covers, his hand landing on her lace thong. He held it up and twirled it around his finger. The delicacy of the lace belied the strength that its owner held. So, what was she running away for?
Challenges didn't scare Baird, and Aislinn had just moved to the top of his list to figure out. Determined to peel back her layers, Baird set to plotting.
Chapter 4
Aislinn all but ran to her shop, the Wild Soul Gallery, desperate to get inside her sanctuary. What was she doing? Aislinn let out a stream of curses as she unlocked the back door of her shop and took the stairs two at a time to her apartment above the store. Flicking on the overhead lights, she crossed the cluttered living room to her kitchen to pull a bottle of Bulmer's from her refrigerator. Kicking off her shoes, Aislinn walked to her plush red couch and plopped down on the cushions to stare at the wall.
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