“At least you can say you gave it a good go.”
“I guess, but to be honest I feel like a fool. All those times we broke up and then got back together again. That’s not normal—except it became normal for us. Eventually breaking up didn’t mean anything—it was just what we did, a form of punishment I suppose, forcing the other person to creep around and beg for forgiveness. It wasn’t healthy, and I now I understand why Hitch and my friends got so exasperated with me. I thought I was doing a good thing, trying to make it work. But things don’t always work out, do they?”
She raised her blue eyes to his, and Aaron felt a strange twist deep inside him. Both of them had been badly hurt, and they still bore their battle scars. Was their joint experience the only thing they had in common? They’d never get the chance to find out—in days she’d be gone, and even if he met up with her occasionally in Wellington, they’d never be able to develop a proper relationship.
He should really take her back to her bed and breakfast now, thank her for a lovely time, and let her go on her way. Any more time spent together had the potential to be detrimental, because it would make it harder to part, and he didn’t want to make it more difficult than it had to be.
He’d compared her to a Greek goddess that morning, and he found himself thinking it again—she looked like a piece of Spring herself, Persephone, maybe, made real on earth. For a brief moment, he imagined himself back in ancient times, looking for a mate—he would have picked Bridget, because she appealed to a man’s basic urges to make love and procreate. She was blonde and beautiful, with a womanly figure and a smile that promised many interesting hours in the bedroom. He knew she’d have beautiful children and she’d make a great mother.
He might not be a caveman—although Nita might argue otherwise—but he could still appreciate the beauty of a young, sexy woman, and at that moment, whether it was right or wrong, he knew he couldn’t let her go. Not yet.
Chapter Eighteen
Bridget spooned some onion relish on the last mouthful of her bread and cheese, and closed her eyes while she chewed. It was so peaceful at the vineyard. To one side of the vines, a group of rabbits nibbled at the grass, unbothered by the vineyard’s Labrador, who snoozed not far from them in the shade of a large oak tree. Two fantails jumped around between the vines, and then to her surprise a kingfisher alighted on a pole just along from their table, its long beak like a thorn against the bright blue sky, its turquoise feathers shining in the sunlight.
Life in the city was rarely peaceful like this. Wellington had beautiful Botanical Gardens, and its quay could be tranquil at times, but cities had a different vibe to the country, she thought, as if the energy of all the people within them spiraled around like a tornado and stopped the dust settling.
Or maybe it was being with Aaron that made her feel peaceful. Whether it was because he’d learned it through being a vet, or whether it was just his natural personality, he had a calm attentiveness that appealed to her. She was growing used to the way he cocked his head at her while she talked, his lips always holding a little curve as if he was secretly admiring her while he listened. His gentle manner made her feel relaxed and safe—an odd word, maybe, but it fit. He laughed a lot, his whole face lighting up, taking such pleasure in her sense of humor that she suspected his ex hadn’t been the sort to tease him.
She opened her eyes to see him watching her with a fond affection.
“What are you smiling at?” he asked.
She sipped her wine. “Just thinking what a lovely day it is. I’m having such a nice time, Aaron. Thank you so much for spending your precious day off with me.”
“You are very welcome.” He shifted in his seat and scratched his nose. “Actually, I was thinking…” He leaned forward on the table and finally lifted his gray eyes to meet hers. “This is such an unusual situation, isn’t it? It’s not normally the way two people meet, and because of that I’m not quite sure what’s the right thing to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, common sense tells me that you live five hundred miles away, and even though I come down on a regular basis, it would be daft to have a long distance relationship like that. We only really have the time that you’re here, and because of that, again, it seems daft to spend too much time together, because I have a feeling that I’m only going to fall in love with you even more the more I get to know you.”
Her eyes widened. Fall in love?
Wait. Even more?
“In spite of that, though,” he continued, oblivious to her shock, “and in spite of the fact that I’m not a thrill seeker, or the sort of guy who enjoys stepping out of his comfort zone, equally I know an opportunity when I see one. You’re on holiday for another week, right?”
“Yes,” she said, heart pounding.
“Well, of course you’re free to say no, and there’d be no hard feelings and I hope we could stay friends, but if you wanted to, and only if you wanted to, I thought, at least I was wondering…”
“Aaron…”
“Stay with me.” His gray eyes were suddenly intense. “At the house. Until next Sunday. I’m not going to Wellington at the weekend because Nita’s taking Mateo to the South Island somewhere. Let’s have a fucking amazing affair for seven days, something we’ll be able to remember for the rest of our lives. They say it’s better to regret the things you’ve done than the things you haven’t. Well, I know I would have regretted it if I hadn’t asked you. I like you. You make me smile, you’re beautiful, you’re sexy, and I want to spend time with you. I want to make love to you. Over and over again, if you’ll let me. I know you’re on the rebound, but you know what? I don’t care. I don’t believe the only reason you’re here is because you want to prove something. I feel there’s something between us that’s not all about need and reassurance. So stay here, with me, and let’s make a few memories that we can take out and look at when we’re old and gray.”
He finished a little breathless, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his eyes alight with anticipation, hope, and a little fear. He was warm-hearted and gorgeous, and he hadn’t slept with anyone else since he broke up with his wife. Yet here he was, asking her to stay the week with him, all cards on the table.
How amazingly sweet and astoundingly sexy he was.
“All right,” she said.
“I won’t be hurt if you turn me down,” he said, “well, I will, but what I mean is don’t let that stop you just because you’re worried it will hurt my feelings. I’d much rather—” His words trailed off.
“And… there it is.”
He stared at her. “Did you say all right?”
“I did. You very eloquently talked me into it. Mainly with the talk of more sex. I like sex. Correction—I really, really like sex with you. And I’d like more of it, if it’s on offer.”
“Oh, it’s definitely on offer.” His whole face lit up with a beautiful smile. “You really want to stay? I am working next week—I’m afraid I can’t just take it off.”
“That’s fine. I’ve enjoyed having some time to myself, and I get you in the evenings. The perfect combination.”
He leaned back in his chair, surprise still written all over his face. “I can’t believe you’re staying.”
“Me neither. Crazy, eh?”
“A bit.”
“It’s so not Birdie Hitchcock. She’s not in the least bit crazy.”
He smiled. “Oh I think she is, deep down.”
She shook her head. “She really isn’t. I don’t think you realize how different I’ve been with you, Aaron. Up until now, it’s like I’ve been playing a part. Hitch’s sister, shop owner, girlfriend, partner. Being whatever everyone else needed or wanted me to be. I haven’t been myself. Does that sound stupid?”
“Not at all. I would think it’s quite common—maybe for women especially—to put what they want on hold for their friends and family.”
“Well, being here, doing exactly what I want to do, being with you… I feel
more like… well, like me than I think I’ve ever felt.”
“I’m glad.” He held out a hand, and she slid hers into it.
He kissed her fingers. “Come on then. Let’s go home.”
*
They returned to Aaron’s house, and he took the dogs out for a quick walk while she sat in the garden and stared at her phone.
Making the decision to stay didn’t mean her troubles were over. Next, she had to tell Hitch and her friends that she wasn’t coming back for another week.
She’d spoken to Hitch every day since she’d left Wellington, mainly to reassure him she was okay, because she knew he worried about her. A couple of days ago, he’d admitted to her that he was due to fly out with Rowan on Sunday for a week-long trip to Canada. She’d forgotten—he’d been planning it for months, but he’d told her he was thinking of canceling it. She’d managed to convince him that she was fine and he should still go, but she knew that if he discovered she was staying with Aaron, it was likely he’d be on the first plane to the Bay of Islands ready to knock Aaron’s teeth down his throat. She was tempted not to call, but if she didn’t he’d only call her later, probably at an inopportune time, judging by the look on Aaron’s face that had told her he was hoping to get her to bed in the not-too-distant future.
In the end, she compromised and rang Callie.
“Birdie!” Callie sounded delighted to hear from her. “How are you?”
“I’m good, thank you. How are you? And how’s Ewan?”
“He’s fine thanks. I’m breast feeding at the moment, so excuse me while I slurp my tea and nosh on a biscuit. You’re supposed to eat a lot to keep your calorie levels up. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. It’s a good excuse.”
Bridget smiled. “You sound happy.”
“I am happy. I miss being at work, but Neve and Willow seem to have it all under control. They call me several times a day saying they need help but I know they’re only trying to make me feel better.”
Rowan’s twin sister had started stepping in to help out with the business, and although Neve still mainly focused on marketing, she was quite happy and confident enough to cover the others during their absence.
“So,” Callie said. “All I do all day is talk about nappies and how many ounces Ewan’s put on. Entertain me. What are you up to?”
“Well that’s kind of why I’m ringing. I was hoping you could do me a favor.”
“Of course. As long as it can be done from the comfort of my rocking chair. I don’t get out much at the moment.”
“It can. I wondered if you’d call Hitch for me later, tell him you’ve been chatting to me, and that I’m fine.”
“Okay… And the reason you can’t do this yourself is…”
“If I call him, he’ll know I’m hiding something, and he’ll metaphorically twist my arm until I tell him, but you’re good at lying.”
“Thanks—I think. What would I be covering up?”
“That I’m not coming back tomorrow. I’ve decided to stay away another week.”
“Why would that be a problem?”
“It’s not so much that I’m staying away, it’s more who I’m staying with…”
“Oh…” The smile shone in Callie’s voice. “You’re still with Aaron?”
“How do you know about…? Oh. Hitch.”
“He might have mentioned him. Does he have a destrier and a lance under his arm?”
Bridget smiled. “He was a bit of a white knight and yes, he did rescue me. I called in to see him yesterday and… well… I think I might stay a bit longer.”
As Bridget had known she would, Callie didn’t judge and didn’t question whether she was doing the right thing. She did say, “Is this just a temporary thing or is it likely to become more?”
“I’m not sure how it can really. I mean, he does come to Wellington every other weekend, but his life is in the bay, and he’s a bit like a farm dog or something—I don’t think he’d be happy in the city.”
“Hitch said he’s divorced?”
“Yeah.” Bridget explained about Nita and Mateo, and that he was trying to keep his son in the country. “It’s a really difficult situation for him, and I don’t envy him. He feels awful about taking her to court, but it doesn’t sound as if Mateo wants to go to Spain.”
“What’s he like, his son?”
“Delightful considering he’s a boy and he’s seven. Polite, gentle, friendly, just like his dad.”
“So this is a fling? An escape for a while?”
“Um… I suppose so.” Bridget’s face heated as she thought about what he’d admitted. Should she say anything to Callie? It seemed silly after she’d just told her it was a temporary fling. But Callie had been like a sister to her over the last few years. Rowan might be her almost-sister-in-law, but she would probably tell Hitch everything, whereas Callie was good at keeping someone’s confidence. “He did say today that he might fall in love with me even more the more he gets to know me.”
“Ah. I see.”
“Mmm.” Bridget hesitated. “Am I doing the wrong thing, staying here? Drawing it out? Surely I’m only making it more difficult when it eventually has to end?”
“Maybe.”
“I’m on the rebound, right? I’m being needy. Wanting reassurance after being jilted. This can’t be real, can it?”
“Of course not. There’s no way you could possibly meet a nice, decent man out of the blue and fall in love with him because he’s kind and sexy and he treats you well. He is sexy, right?”
“Oh yeah.”
“And he treats you well?”
“He’s lovely, Callie. He’s so sweet, and sexy, and gentle, and funny. I’m crazy about him. But I can’t be. I’ve only known him a few days, and there’s no hope of anything developing between us…”
“I’m not saying it wouldn’t be tricky and there wouldn’t be barriers to overcome, but you can’t say there’s no hope. There’s always hope. Look what happened with me and Gene, and Rowan and Hitch, and Neve and Rhett for Christ’s sake. None of us could have foretold any of those relationships, and they all developed relatively quickly when it came down to it. Time is meaningless when love’s involved.”
“I don’t know, Callie. Love’s something that grows over time. I don’t believe in love at first sight.”
“Fair enough. Call it promise, then. It only takes minutes to work out if a relationship holds the promise of something more. Of course it takes time to discover whether two people will fit on a more permanent basis. You can’t rush that. It takes months and years to sort that out. Ouch. Hold on.”
The phone rustled for a moment before she came back. “Sorry. Swapping boobs. The thing is, I bet you knew the moment you looked into his eyes that something magical could happen between you. Yes, you’ll need to take time to see whether you feel the same way once you’ve sorted things out with Mal and buried that relationship. And he’ll need to settle the thing with his wife and see whether there’s a way to make it work with you, and that won’t be easy. But you can’t work that out yet. You can’t make something grow that doesn’t even exist. All you can do at this point is establish whether there’s a seed here worth planting. It seems to me there is. So put it in the soil. Water it. Shine some happiness on it. And see what it grows into. You might end up deciding that although it’s quite pretty, it’s not going to grow into anything special, and so you can move onto finding another seed. But it might be a sunflower, Birdie. It might be the most beautiful flower you’ve ever seen. So you have to give it a chance to grow.”
A tear ran down Bridget’s cheek. She wiped it away, feeling such a swell of love for her friend at that moment that it almost choked her. “Your son is such a lucky boy to have you for a mother.”
“Gene says he’s going to grow up singing Abba and I’ve cursed him for life.”
“If that’s the worst thing that happens, he’ll be pretty well off,” Bridget said with a sniff.
Callie chuckled. �
��Okay, well don’t worry. I’ll tell Hitch I’ve heard from you and all’s well. He’ll be off with Rowan soon so he won’t be thinking about you so much. He’ll be out in the middle of Canada trying to stick his camera down a moose’s mouth or something.”
“Yeah. Thanks, Callie.”
“You’re welcome. Have a fantastic time, and enjoy all the sex.”
Bridget laughed. “I will. Take care of the boy.”
“Yeah, and I’ll look after Ewan as well.”
Bridget hung up, grinning. Callie never failed to lift her spirits.
It might be a sunflower… give it a chance to grow.
Still smiling, she put the kettle on and began to make them both a cup of coffee.
Chapter Nineteen
“She’s what?”
Aaron didn’t raise his gaze, just continued to study the list of patients the four of them in the surgery were working through. “She’s staying with me. Just for a few days. Now, Harris the Labrador… How are those pins in his shoulder doing?”
“Don’t change the subject,” Joe said. “How did this happen?”
“I said ‘Would you like to stay?’ and she said ‘Yes, please.’ It’s not rocket science.”
“You asked her? Aaron…”
Aaron looked pleadingly at Izzy and Pam, who were also sitting around the table, drinking coffee as they had their pre-clinic morning meeting. “Please tell him to shut up.”
“Absolutely not,” Pam said. “We want all the gory details.”
Izzy smiled, but her face held gentle concern. “We’re just worried about you, that’s all. You’re such a softie, Aaron, and this has the potential to cause you a great deal of heartache.”
“It won’t,” he said, pretending to write something interesting on his clipboard, although he was just doodling. “We both know it’s just a fling.” He glanced up to see them all exchanging glances. “For God’s sake. She’s a friend. It’s a bit of fun. Stop getting your knickers in a twist.”
“So is she sleeping in the spare room?” Joe wanted to know.
Persuading Spring: A Sexy New Zealand Romance (The Four Seasons Book 4) Page 14
