Then, There's Love (Revealing)

by Rena Manse

  With no prompting on his part, she tilted her head to his. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

  “I’ve been faithful.”

  He slid his hand around her waist. He hadn’t thought much about Jade, didn’t care about Lynda’s advances, and he hadn’t called any of his female friends up there either. So this is what one would call an honest relationship. Yes, he’d been faithful. He only hoped Jonathan hadn’t been sniffing around. He pulled away.

  “What about you?”

  She laughed before patting his chest as if the question was ludicrous. When her arms drew around his waist, he wondered how far she intended to go in her bravery. She must have thought she had him fooled, but micro quivers raced under her skin.

  Aaron bowed his head over her shoulder in deep thought. Whatever went on in her head, she trusted him. And in an unexpected flash, he recognized how precious a part his own body played in the type of transaction he expected from a moment like this.

  “We should go, Ashley.”

  He lifted his head, and hers bowed. Scooping her from the water, he waded toward the steps. They had to part ways. He wouldn’t let her continue whatever she thought she was doing.

  He climbed out and set her down. With a wet hand he brushed water from her throat, shoulder and upper arm, then checked her eyes. They were glued on him. It disturbed him, as it showed fear and dependency. What happened that she now felt the need to allow him to touch her freely? Jade must have ripped her security. He’d hate for that to be true, but what if that wasn’t the case?

  He traced a questioning finger down her chin, waiting for her to make a move. She had to make some kind of move. Innocent: stark clear. But when her wide gaze remained transfixed, it suddenly hit, and terrified, him; she didn’t know what to do in an intimate situation.

  Continue to touch her, or leave her alone? His fingers ran over her jaw. “What do you want? What are you doing?” he whispered gently.

  Ashley’s gaze shifted down.

  Calling her bluff, he firmed his grip and raised her chin. “What—”

  Lights behind the French doors flashed on, and Aaron dropped his hand as Janet’s frightened timbre pierced the air.

  “Is anybody there—Oh! Excuse me. Mr. Gilyard.” Janet stood by the door holding her dressing gown tightly closed. “Miss Ashley.”

  He masked stunned annoyance. “What time is it, Janet?”

  “Why it’s two-forty-five, sir. I wasn’t—I’m so sorry.”

  “That’s all right.”

  Though apologetic she didn’t seem eager to leave.

  “Good night, Miss Shannon.”

  “Oh, yes.” She turned and left, switching off the lights as she passed it farther down the hall.

  Settling his gaze on Ashley’s, he knew they couldn’t pick up where they’d left off. He let his view slip to the sports tank and shorts of her bathing suit. He looked away before his eyes could take it all in. She really was going to kill him. Shivering his head, he grazed his fingers over his scalp. The least he could do was treat her with respect.

  He entertained the idea of pursuing her the old fashioned way. Him? Taking on Ashley from the ground up? Yeah. He smiled. Why’d he love her so much to want to try?

  His mind reeled in reverse. Love?

  “Val will be happy to see you.” Ashley’s voice drifted low. “She’s walking with your grandfather’s cane.”

  Granddad? He turned, but she already had a towel wrapped tightly around her shoulders on her way into the house. Val may be better, but he was sick. He really did need her. Moreover, he needed her to need him back. This independent woman who refused help, so tight receiving affection, he was desperate to have her depend on him in some way.

  She meant more than just someone who’d taken exceptional care of his grandmother. More than a business tool. Her type of caring encompassed his stubborn side. That side didn’t want to let her out of his sight now that he knew she bruised easily. Someone had affected her enough that she tried to come on to him. For what? To keep him from changing his mind about the marriage?

  If the formal transactions for his grandfather’s will would be delayed, then his wedding should be as well. He hated himself for deceiving Ashley, but he couldn’t think of anything else that would keep her with him, only a little longer.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  “You’re such a fool, Ashley!” So much for her self-improvement personal pep-talk. Ashley descended the stairs on her way to breakfast at fifteen minutes before noon.

  Why hadn’t Val come to wake her? Her head and eyes hurt from lack of restful sleep, her hair an impossible frizzy mess, and her stomach flipped at the memory of last night’s scene.

  “Don’t let me make a bigger fool of myself,” she pleaded, thumping open the swinging kitchen door.

  Janet looked up from setting a tray of butter scones, eggs, toast, jams and fruit. “What are you doing here?”

  No one walked in to spoil Janet’s surprise of delicious meals. “I suppose everyone’s eaten.” She looked at the tray again. Strange items for someone’s lunch. “It’s late, Janet, I’ll eat breakfast in here.”

  The wag of Janet’s head confused her, then the woman wiped her hands on her apron and rotated Ashley back towards the door. “You and Mr. G. had a very late night. No one is blaming you for that. He didn’t get a moment’s night sleep.”

  Really? She figured he’d slept like a baby. Oh! “Oh, no. No. That wasn’t because of me.”

  A thick Irish accent saturated Janet’s speech. “I informed Miss Val that you’d be lay’et. Your mister be out on the pat-yo whey’in fer ya’. Said he’d wait fer breakfast ’imself.”

  “Where’s Val?”

  “She be testin’ ‘er leg. Now run along,” she clucked happily and watered down her accent. “That lad went out earlier with no breakfast, now I must get some food into the two of you before you waste away. Go on!”

  “I’m fine to eat in—”

  “Shoo!”

  Ashley didn’t want to, but Janet didn’t move from guarding the doorway until she headed in that direction. Unnoticed, she approached Aaron who sat at the table with a newspaper and coffee. He wore dark trousers with a short sleeve two-tone, ultramarine and royal blue polo shirt.

  When he turned and saw her, he set his coffee cup down. “Good morning.” He stood until she took the seat across from him, eyes blank as if they harbored no recollection of their late-night interlude. “Would you like to hear about my trip?” His gaze flew to hers over his subtle grin as he poured her a cup of coffee.

  “Does it really concern me?”

  “It should. I’m postponing the wedding.”

  The cold shower of his words stopped her mid-sip. She frowned. Had she done something wrong?

  Within seconds, Aaron’s eyes narrowed and he pushed his chair back. “Sorry if this puts a kink in your busy schedule.” He stalked over to a stone statue by the steps.

  “Delayed for how long?”

  “Two weeks.”

  She stood and walked to where she could see his face. “Two weeks from now, or two weeks from the originally planned?”

  “The originally planned.”

  “Did something go wrong?” It’s me.

  He shoveled one hand into his pocket. An alien look overshadowed his face before he stroked the extended index finger of the lady statue with his free hand. Turning his face away, he said, “Red tape. I’d rather have all my ducks lined up than wait and see what’ll happen down the road.”

  “You’re beginning to sound like me.”

  From the corner of her eye she saw him turn back to stare at her. Blurred images of last night flooded her mind. She’d waited for him to kiss her in that pool, and then out of it. But all he did was turn his back and shake his head. And now the man who always made concrete quick decisions needed to line up his ducks.

  “I guess this puts a kink in your schedule.” She swallowed her apprehension. “Is it because I’m not Amer
ican? You can choose someone else, you know. If I’m too much trouble.”

  He chuckled. “Woman, you were too much trouble the moment you stepped into my house.” His words came out like he enjoyed the challenge, totally confusing her as to why he’d become so upset. “You can live with me a little longer.”

  An extra three weeks? She’d tap dance around her new-found feelings, and avoid his resentment. Did he harbor resentment? His thoughts were so hard to discern. Shaking her head at judgments that didn’t make sense anymore, she started back towards the table. Aaron’s hand launched from the statue to grab her left arm.

  “Before I forget.” He took her fingers into his, and Ashley looked down as he pushed a white, diamond ring onto her third finger. “The party is tomorrow night. I can’t have you walking around looking naked.”

  Ashley gawked at the ring. If she didn’t have any sense she’d run to the nearest appraiser to find out how many thousands of dollars graced her digit. Stunning. He bought this for her? No way he’d spend this kind of money on a fake engagement, it must be a token from Val.

  Several diamonds sparkled in a row. Nestled in the midst, the queen bee of all diamonds showed off for the brilliant sun. The wide band fit perfectly. He must have sent Janet through her jewelry. No wonder the housekeeper knew everything about everybody. Ashley adjusted her hand nearer and farther, knowing that she should say something, but afraid he’d gone too far.

  “I hope you’re not this tongue tied at the wedding. I’ll only need two words.” Aaron came close, changing the backdrop of her view from a potted plant to a royal blue clad corded bicep.

  She tilted her head to meet his eyes. “I talk,” she answered, showing off bad English. “Aaron, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”

  His fingers closed over her still-raised hand, drawing it between them. Her heart jumped when he placed it hostage on his chest. It positively pounded when he rubbed his thumb across her palm and twisted the ring.

  She stared into eyes that danced so alive they made her soul smile, counted as many as five freckles she wanted to kiss, and let him trace a finger over her lips. She shouldn’t react like this. She tugged her hand to remove herself from the stimulation, and swallowed hard when he pampered said hand with light caresses.

  There was more than one way of making love, and Ashley was certain Aaron knew all the tricks. It felt so good to have him give her attention. She wanted to do something for him as well to make him feel valuable. But none of this had an effect on him. His heart rate hadn’t increased with any of their contact.

  His inquisitive eyes moved back and forth with hers, studying. “Ashley.”

  She couldn’t answer. Just the sound of his voice intoxicated her. What would become of her if she cracked under his pressure? She pictured herself fawning over this man well into her sixties. The old maid sorrowing over the one who couldn’t love her.

  His knuckles brushed her cheek and slid down her neck. Cupping his fingers over her shoulder, he tugged her closer while his thumb caressed her throat. Pull back. She couldn’t play with both of their emotions this way, but now Aaron knew her part wasn’t all fake. His thumb stilled. It was evident he could feel her racing heart through her neck.

  That’s what he wanted. A reaction. She found a little feminine power after all. For under her hand, his heartbeat sped up. The heady transformation of his gaze kept her from drowning when his thumb resumed its caress.

  “Ashley.” He suspended time in his stare. “I never did propose properly. I want to take the opportunity to do it for the record. You know, in case people ask.”

  Like his voice, his chest grew warm under her palm and she couldn’t help but press her hand into it.

  He looked down at her action, rubbed his other thumb over the ring, and lightly squeezed her hand as he met her gaze. “Ashley, will you marry me?”

  That’s it?

  She nodded. “Yes. I will.”

  “Br-r-reakfast!”

  Hands whipped to their sides. Ashley’s heart stopped as Janet strode onto the patio and looked around for them.

  “I know, I have good timing.” She cackled, and placed the enormous tray on the table before leaving.

  Ashley took the intrusion to return to her seat. This may be private and protected property, but they were outside. Valerie walked out there somewhere, the gardeners, the stable hand, anyone could have seen them.

  As she shuffled her chair closer to the table, she glanced at Aaron where she’d left him, hands held palm up in a stunned freeze as if asking her what she was doing.

  “We’re outside,” she squeaked.

  He dropped his arms and spied his surroundings on every side.

  “I’m hungry,” she tried again.

  “So am I, but we were in the middle of a conversation.”

  “Oh, right. Your ‘other mode of communication.’ You were pretty loud with your hands.”

  The grin confirmed his motives. “I thought I was being too subtle.”

  “Aren’t you the least bit embarrassed that Janet caught us like that? Again?”

  “You’re my fiancée, who cares if we’re lovers?” Tempting her with his eyes, he beckoned with two crooked fingers for her to get back over there. “I proposed, you accepted, and you didn’t even give me a kiss.”

  She laughed, glued to her seat more from excitement than fear. “Some things are best left for the bedroom.” Hearing what she said, she averted her attention to the food.

  Aaron came to the table and reclaimed his seat. Laughing, he flapped his napkin onto his lap. “Sometimes I forget how shy you are. But you’re right. Save it for the bedroom.”

  She frowned. “You know what I meant.”

  “I know what I heard.”

  Her cheeks burned. “The parameters for marriage shouldn’t be based on physical attraction alone. Marriage is about growing together and wanting to support each other. I don’t want people thinking I’ve given up my virginity weeks before marrying because I couldn’t wait. Not to say I’m giving it up when we are.” She eyed him pointedly.

  He appeared to listen attentively. “There are several things about that.” The side of his mouth quirked. “No one around here knows or cares that you’re a virgin.” He held up a hand, stopping her from interrupting. “I know it’s invaluable to you, but half the people here wouldn’t believe it considering my reputation. And to tell you the truth, what people think and what really is can stare each other in the eye and they’d never know it.”

  What an odd thing to say, but she stared him in the eye.

  “I believe we see things in each other no one else sees. You’re giving and loyal and fierce, which makes you very attractive to me. I didn’t have to go to bed with you to find that out, and I’m glad. I’ve never been this close to a woman without being with her in the biblical sense. I like our platonic relationship.”

  “You call this platonic?”

  A smirk pulled his lips. “You’re not ready for the alternative.” They both dug in to dish out breakfast portions from the serving tray. “Point is, you shouldn’t care what people think if you know the truth.”

  She couldn’t argue with that, she thought, taking a scone for herself and giving him two.

  Aaron licked his lips. “Like how I know you’re such a sexy minx under all your churchy exterior—”

  Ashley just about dropped her fork, though it still clattered unceremoniously against the plate.

  His hard smile showed his pleasure. “And like I know you wouldn’t mind throwing me down for a quick fix once in a while.” Again his hand shot up to halt objections. “So we got the physical attraction thing down pat.”

  She glared at him for his audacity.

  “Don’t look at me like that. You’re the one who outlined parameters for a marriage. Look, we’re opening up and actually get along when we’re alone. That meets your requirement for growth. You’re helping me and I’m employing you. We agree to see a favorable outcome to our respective problems. So ther
e’s your parameter for mutual support. According to you…marriage.” He raised his arms as if to ask what more needed to be said.

  Trying to muster bald faced death-darts to leer at him didn’t quite come out how she intended. “You are so far gone, it’s sickening.”

  He laughed at her weak comeback while she looked down at the strawberries he’d shoveled onto her plate. Soon their conversation drifted to weather and lighter issues. He only glanced at the paper for a couple of minutes, then left before she finished her coffee.

  Ashley lifted her hand and stared at the ring. He’d gone and made it official. She had a fiancé.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Ashley sneaked a peek at Val. The older woman sat quiet at the dinner table, a mystery in itself. But wrinkled eyebrows rose over a wisecrack-type smile in her direction. Ashley interpreted the gloat as Val’s delight in watching her and Aaron trade their own glances.

  Being aware of it didn’t prevent it from happening. Her eyes drew back to the contrast of a crisp dark dress shirt against his unshaven jaw. The strong hand with his ring finger tapped restlessly against his plate. When he set aside his water glass looking like he wanted conversation, she breathed easy at the excuse to stare at him openly.

  “Grandmother.” He glanced at Ashley. “Ashley and I decided not to get married this weekend.”

  Ashley turned in time to see Val’s face turn pale.

  “We’re moving it back two weeks,” Ashley added with a glare at Aaron for his omission. He flashed up his eyebrows, scrunched his nose and grinned in teasing response to his purposeful misleading.

  “Two weeks?” Val smiled. “That sounds a little more reasonable. Two months would be better, but that’s just an old woman’s opinion.” She turned to Ashley. “I’m an August bride myself. It’s the best month of the year.”

  Nice. Now she’d ruin the month of August. Ashley quirked her lips, then forced a smile when she glanced at Aaron. He seemed upset with her weak role of glowing bride. She picked up her utensils and sawed through a baked potato.