“Of course.” She placed her wine glass on the bedside table and threw back the duvet.
“You can stay here if you like. I won’t be long.” He liked the idea of coming back to a warm bed and a warm woman. But she was already getting up and pulling on her jeans, so that was obviously it for the night.
“That’s okay—I’ll come with you.” She tugged on her top and smiled at him.
Pleased the evening wasn’t quite over yet, he dressed, fetched the dogs’ leashes, and clipped them on, and then they went out into the cool night. It would be a few months before the temperature would stay warm and balmy all night, and the fresh sea air cut across the town, bringing with it the salty smell of the ocean combined with the aroma of curry from the Indian restaurant down the road.
“Mmm,” she said as they began to walk toward the sea. “That smells gorgeous. I might have to try it out.”
Her hand slipped into his, and he felt a swell of hope and pleasure that she wasn’t talking about leaving immediately.
“It’s a fantastic restaurant,” he said. “They do a terrific Chicken Madras.”
“Ooh, my favorite. You’ve talked me into it.”
He closed his fingers around hers, thinking that there was little he needed in life more than this—taking a late walk in his favorite town with a gorgeous girl and two dogs.
They walked down to the beach and along The Strand, past the bars and restaurants that were still going strong, past the pier with its lights that glowed like stars in the darkness, and right along to Pompallier Mission.
“It’s a pioneer printers and tannery,” Aaron told her. “It was the headquarters of the French Catholic mission to the Western Pacific in the nineteenth century. The brothers translated religious works into Maori here, and they printed them then bound them into books.”
“I feel ashamed that I don’t know more about our history,” she admitted. “I can remember bits and pieces about the Treaty from school, but I never took history as an option. We’re right in the birthplace of New Zealand up here, aren’t we?”
“Kind of, yeah. Maori probably settled in the thirteenth or fourteenth century, although archaeologists have found rat bones they’ve dated to around 150AD, so it’s possible there were people here earlier.”
“Why do rat bones mean people were here?” she asked, clearly puzzled.
“Because no mammals are indigenous to New Zealand and rats can’t swim great distances, so they must have come over with people on canoes or boats.”
“But those weren’t Europeans?”
“Probably not. The first Europeans were the Dutch in 1642, but they didn’t stay, then of course there was Captain Cook in 1769. Missionaries began to settle in the early nineteenth century, up here to start with. The Stone Store in Kerikeri is the oldest stone building in the country.”
“You know so much about it! You’re a vet, and you’re interested in astronomy, and history… You make me feel positively lazy.”
He laughed. “All it means is that I talk about myself a lot. You haven’t told me that much about yourself.”
“There’s not much to say. I’m not very interesting.”
“Of course you are. You fascinate me.”
Even in the semi-darkness, he saw her blush. “I don’t know why,” she said.
“Because you’ve come through terrible adversity with a smile on your face and an inner beauty most women can only aspire to.”
“Jeez, Aaron, you’ve already got in my panties. I’m a sure thing, okay?”
He laughed. “I mean it. Losing both your parents at such a young age would have made many people bitter or cynical, but you’re so bright and bubbly.”
“Am I? I wouldn’t have described myself like that. I wasn’t bright or bubbly when you found me on the quay.”
“True, but I could see beneath your unhappiness. The real you shone through.”
He didn’t like the way she put herself down. It was difficult to think that wasn’t connected to the way her ex had treated her.
“Tell me about your job,” he said as they began walking back along the beach.
She shrugged. “I run the Four Seasons shop. Not much more to say.”
“Come on.” He put his arms around her shoulders. For some reason her spirits had dropped, and he couldn’t have that, not after what they’d just shared. “I want to know more about women’s underwear.”
That made her laugh. “What do you want to know?”
“You run it with your friends?”
“Kind of. We all took the same business degree at university. Callie—she’s the one who’s just had the baby—has a real head for business, and we made her the CEO, if you like, of Four Seasons. She’s very good with people, and she’s the one who contacts shops around the country to see if they’ll stock our brand. Rowan’s the designer, the dreamer. Hitch is a nature photographer, and when the two of them travel around the world it gives her ideas for all kinds of patterns and styles for her lingerie designs.”
“What about the other one, Neve, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah, she specializes in marketing and advertising and handles all that side of things.”
“And so you run the actual shop?” He wondered whether she chose to do it or whether the others took the more interesting roles and left her to do the donkey work of daily sales.
“I do.”
“The most important bit,” he said, and smiled.
“On the surface of it, it must sound crazy that I have a degree and yet I’m pretty much just a shop girl, but there is more to it than that. I’m in charge of the Four Seasons stock so I have to liaise with the factory and work out how much we need in what styles and sizes. We also stock other brands so I have to keep an eye on what’s selling well so I can pick up on any trends. We’re right in the high street, but that doesn’t mean people will automatically come in. With Neve, I organize the displays, and we come up with regular promotions together.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“It is.” She perked up a bit, her face showing her enthusiasm. “For example, we have a ladies’ only evening on a Thursday where we have cheese and biscuits and a complimentary glass of wine, and we have our own little fashion show where a couple of models demonstrate the new Four Seasons designs. We always choose models with… um… generous proportions, shall we say. It’s one thing to see items on skinny models in a magazine, but it’s sometimes nice to see what they look like on women who look like you.”
“You sound like you enjoy your job.” Although she’d begun by making it sound as if all she did was take people’s money, clearly she had a far bigger role than that, and he suspected the other girls in the company had seen that she had an eye for the displays and the organizational skills for the promotions.
“I do. I love it. I miss it, actually. Although not enough to give this up.” She wrinkled her nose and squeezed his fingers.
“I’m glad you’re having a good time.” He paused to let Tycho and Kepler sniff around an oak tree. It was a gorgeous evening, made even more so by the blonde beauty by his side. He still couldn’t believe she’d wanted to go to bed with him. Part of it must have been a need to be reassured and comforted, but equally she really seemed to like him. She appeared to enjoy his company, and it was a joy for him to be with someone who was so restful, warm, and relaxed, so that he didn’t feel on edge all the time.
He cleared his throat as they came to the junction that led to the bed and breakfast where he’d picked her up. “That’s the way to Jacaranda Lodge.”
She released his hand and stuffed hers in the pockets of her jacket. “Okay. Well, I’ve had a wonderful evening.”
“Me too.” He put a hand down and stroked Tycho’s velvety ears. “How long do you think you’ll stay up here?”
She poked at a stone with her toe. “I’m not sure. I have next week off work too, and it’s such a beautiful place… I thought I might spend a few more days here.” She nudged the stone again, a
nd then her gaze flicked up to see his reaction.
Tycho licked his hand as if saying Go on! Aaron cleared his throat. “I’d love to see more of you while you’re here. And I also thought… Um… Look, feel free to say no and I’ll understand, and of course I know you’ve booked the B and B, and you’ve come away to have some time to yourself so you might want to be alone…” He was waffling. Spit it out, Reed.
He cleared his throat again. “It’s just that we’ve had such a lovely evening, I wondered if you’d like to come back with me and stay the night.”
She met his gaze, and then a beautiful smile spread across her face, lighting it up as if one of the moon’s rays had slanted across it. “Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t.”
She gave a happy nod. “I’d love to.”
“It might mean more sex later,” he clarified. “I feel I should point that out.”
She chuckled. “I was counting on it.”
He moved closer to her and dipped his head until his lips brushed hers. “I hope you don’t feel I’m taking advantage of you,” he murmured. “I like you, that’s all. I enjoy your company, and I don’t want the evening to end.”
“Take advantage of me all you like,” she whispered back. “It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this about anyone, Aaron.”
He kissed her, trying to ignore the rapid tattoo of his heart at her words.
“Do you need anything from the B and B?” he asked when he eventually lifted his head.
“Actually my bags are still in my rental car. I’ll pick up the smaller one if that’s okay as it has my toothbrush in it.”
So she collected her bag, and Aaron insisted on carrying it for her as they walked slowly back.
On the way, he called in at the Four Square corner shop, leaving Bridget outside with the dogs. Feeling like a sixteen-year-old, he picked up a packet of dog chews and a bottle of soda, and approached the counter. Rosie was serving. In her forties, she brought her Labrador into his surgery on a regular basis, so he’d gotten to know her quite well.
He put the chews and soda on the counter. “Evening.”
“Hey, Aaron.” She smiled and added up the items. “How goes it?”
“Yeah, good thanks.” He glanced over his shoulder. Another of his clients, a younger woman called Julia, stood behind him, and she smiled as he looked around. He turned back and cleared his throat. “Can I… um… have a pack of twenty condoms please?” he mumbled.
Rosie met his gaze for a moment, then glanced briefly at Julia before turning to get the box. He could see her fighting not to smile as she rang it into the register.
“You can both stop smirking,” he said, getting out his card and casting them a wry look.
“We’re not,” Rosie said, laughing. “Who’s the lucky lady?”
He liked them both too much to tell them to mind their own business. Although they were being nosey, he could tell they were pleased for him. It was one of the disadvantages of living in a small town, but the comfort that a close community brought him more than outweighed it.
“I have a friend staying. She’s up from Wellington.” He paid with his card.
“How long is she here for?” Julia asked.
“A couple of nights, probably.”
“Wow,” Rosie said. “Ten condoms per day? I’m impressed.”
He laughed and took the bag as they both chuckled. “See you later.” Leaving to the sound of their giggles, he made his way outside, knowing they were craning their necks to see who he was with.
He shook his head as Bridget raised an eyebrow at his smile. “Don’t ask.” He couldn’t deny that he didn’t mind people knowing he was having sex with a pretty girl. It made him feel like strutting.
They walked slowly up the hill to his house. Once there, he fussed the dogs and settled them in the living room, then joined Bridget in the bedroom. She’d already changed into a pretty pink silky nightie that made his hands itch to slide over her, and he stood next to her in the bathroom as they brushed their teeth.
It was strange having a woman around after being on his own so long. He’d wondered whether he would feel guilty when—or if—he ever slept with a woman other than Nita, but he discovered that he just felt happy. Nita was sexy, sensual, and passionate, but she could be like a black hole, sucking all the light out of him until only darkness remained. Bridget was like a shooting star blazing briefly through his solar system, bringing only light and beauty. She made him feel good about himself, and it was a long time since he’d felt like that.
They got into bed, and she curled up against him, her body warm and soft in the silky nightie. Aaron wrapped his arms around her, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair, peace settling over him like the starlight that filtered through the crack in the curtains.
Just temporary, he thought. But wonderful nevertheless.
Chapter Sixteen
When Bridget finally awoke, the sun was streaming through the bedroom window, covering the bed in a blanket of molten gold. It was early, she thought as her eyelids fluttered open—probably only just after six, and a perfect spring morning. Outside, she could hear the distinct sound of a tui calling from the jacaranda tree outside Aaron’s window.
She hadn’t slept well since the day of her almost-wedding, her sleep filled with dreams of being lost and abandoned, and she’d woken often to lie and stare at the ceiling, unable to stop thinking about the mistakes she’d made and the times in her life when she’d been presented with a choice, and had taken the wrong path.
Last night, though, she’d slept through the night for the first time. When she had roused, she’d felt Aaron’s warm body pressed against hers, and he’d patted her hip or stroked her back, and she’d dozed off again, filled with a contentment she hadn’t had for a long time.
She thought about that, not yet ready to rise, still sleepy and relaxed in the morning sun. Staying the night with Aaron had been an indulgence she shouldn’t have given into. Even if old Birdie had given in to her lust, she would have politely declined his offer to stay, conscious of a need to keep herself emotionally distant.
But new Bridget didn’t care. She’d always been organized, done her best to think of all possibilities, and planned to the last detail, and where had that gotten her? She was done with following her head and living her life in fear of what other people thought of her. For once she was going to follow her heart and do what made her happy, and right here, right now, the thing that made her happy was being with Aaron.
Behind her, she felt him stir, and then his arms came around her, his body pressing up against hers. She’d ditched her nightie sometime in the night, and liked the feel of being skin on skin.
“Mmm, morning,” she murmured. He made her feel safe and wanted, as if while she was in his arms she could conquer the world. That couldn’t be a bad thing, could it?
“Morning, sexy.” He nuzzled her neck and cupped her breasts. “Wow, you are delicious to wake up to. You’re all soft, and you smell heavenly.”
“Yuck, Aaron. Don’t say that. I don’t want to know how I smell in the morning.”
“Mmm,” he said, ignoring her, “women smell so gorgeous, so much better than guys.” He slid his hands down over her belly and thighs, cupped her mound and stroked between her legs, making her inhale sharply, then brushed back up her body again. Her skin tingled, and she arched her back, pushing her breasts into his hands as she turned her head to kiss him.
Was there anything nicer than early morning kisses, when you were still half asleep and the world wasn’t completely awake? Aaron kissed her lazily, teasing her lips with his tongue before sliding it into her mouth, where it engaged in a slow dance with hers. At the same time he took her nipples between his fingers and thumbs, squeezing and gently tugging until they hardened.
Lifting a hand to her lips, he slipped a finger between them and she took it into her mouth and sucked, loving the way he gave a sexy growl in response and pressed his erection t
o her bottom. He then removed his finger from her mouth and transferred the wetness to each nipple before stimulating them again.
Bridget sighed and closed her eyes, enjoying the way the early morning was joining in with Aaron’s slow teasing of her senses, the warm sunlight caressing her skin, bathing her in its golden glow. His touch was gentle but sure, his hand occasionally leaving her breast to stroke over her body, and she shivered at the lightness of his touch. It was as if he wanted to arouse her the way the sun was rising over the horizon, slowly, languidly, letting things proceed at their natural pace without trying to force her to a hurried conclusion.
It felt as if they lay there for hours although it couldn’t have been more than fifteen minutes, but she’d never felt like this, as if it didn’t matter how long it took her to come, as if giving her pleasure was the most important thing to him in the world.
Mal worked on Saturday mornings, and on Sundays he’d always gotten up early to play soccer with his mates, so early morning loving had happened rarely, and never like this. She hadn’t realized lovemaking could be this sweet, this beautiful. It almost made her want to cry. Thank God she’d met Aaron. She might have lived her whole life with Mal and never known the wonder of sunrise sex.
“Mmm,” Aaron murmured, slipping a hand between her thighs. He stroked her, and the way his fingers slid easily into her folds told her she was wet and swollen. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to move.”
Her eyelids fluttered open. “Hmm?”
“Yeah. I need to taste you, but I’m feeling too lazy, so you’re going to have to do all the work.” He rolled onto his back, adjusted the pillow behind his head, and let out a happy sigh. “Hop on.”
Her eyes widened and she turned over to face him. “What?”
“You heard me. I need to lap up some of that cream, so come and sit on my face.” His gray eyes challenged her to defy him, purposefully provocative.
“Goodness.” Her heart raced. “I… um… haven’t had a shower yet.”
“Are you trying to turn me on?”
“Aaron!”
Persuading Spring: A Sexy New Zealand Romance (The Four Seasons Book 4) Page 12
