“Oh, yes! Like that.”
He thrust in just a little deeper and she felt herself going over the edge. It was different from before—it was from the inside rather than the outside. The contractions of her muscles were more in her belly. She grabbed his hips, urging him to keep the rhythm going. He kept pace with her for a few more seconds, then he shuddered his release and groaned her name.
She had no idea how many minutes they lay there, tangled, trying to catch their breath. Aidan finally moved off her and reached for a tissue. When he’d gotten rid of the condom, he rolled back on his side and looked at her.
She had no idea what he was going to say. What she didn’t expect was him to start laughing. But the combination of relief and happiness was contagious and she began to giggle, then laugh. He collapsed back and she snuggled up next to him. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.
“Well, damn,” he murmured.
“I knew we’d be great together.”
He kissed her forehead. “We are that.”
“Friends with benefits,” she told him.
“Wasn’t that a movie? Or a book?”
“Probably. But it’s still what we are. We can make it work. You’ll see.” She half sat up. “Unless this was a one-time thing.”
He looked at her for a long time, then smiled. “Do you really see me being able to resist you again?” He pulled her on top of him and kissed her. “Now, for round two.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
AIDAN HAD TO admit it—he felt good. Better than good. He’d awakened with that feeling of smug contentment combined with being a god. He was the man. Conqueror of worlds, or at the very least, conqueror of his world and pleasurer of Shelby.
They’d spent the rest of the night together. After their second amazing session of lovemaking, they’d surfaced long enough to dress, collect Charlie and grab some take-out for dinner, then had spent the evening snuggled together on his sofa before retreating to the bedroom to continue putting a dent in his condom supply.
He leaned over and absently rubbed Charlie’s ears. “Hey, guy,” he murmured. “How you feeling?”
Charlie wagged his tail.
“Yeah? Me, too.”
Aidan leaned back in his chair. Part of him was still concerned that everything could fall apart now that they’d crossed the line, but he wasn’t about to feel anything close to regret. Being with Shelby had been great. Right.
He turned his attention back to his computer. He had a spreadsheet that detailed the activities the company offered, separated by season. He’d already started work on the scheduling, but kept going back to the list.
There were lots of fun things for people to do. Everything from the very traditional walking tours to the more adventurous whitewater rafting and parasailing. In between were hikes and campouts that could be adjusted for the skill and fitness level of the group. But it was all so predictable.
He walked into the front office, where Fay was printing out passes for the day’s tours. Charlie trailed after him. Fay looked up from her work.
“What?” she demanded. “You’re thinking something.”
“How do you know that I’m thinking? Is it a woman thing? Or that we’ve worked together for a long time?”
“Both. Now talk.”
“I’m looking at the schedule. We have a lot of things for families and for guys and couples, but nothing for women. Nothing female-based.”
“Like?”
“I don’t know.” He opened the bottom drawer of her desk and pulled out a yellow ball, then tossed it down the hall for Charlie. The little dog raced after it. “Something from the Máa-zib, maybe. This town was founded by a group of powerful women. There’s the festival where the guy gets his heart cut out. What if we did a ladies’ weekend around that? With a bike ride and an afternoon of shopping. Maybe some spa stuff. We could approach the businesses in town to co-op with us.”
Fay nodded slowly. “That could be fun. It wouldn’t have to be around the festival, although that’s great. What about bachelorette weekends?”
He grabbed a pad of paper from her desk and started making notes. “That would work. We could do packages or something. Include meal vouchers.” He looked at her. “What about more couples stuff? A romantic sunset kayak for two with a picnic? Ana Raquel has her food truck all summer. She could put together the food and wine. We already have blankets and kayaks. We’d give a quick lesson for the novices, send them out with a map and GPS locator.”
Fay grinned. “Unless they don’t want to be found.”
“They’ll want to be found eventually. The food will run out.” He chuckled as he wrote.
“I’m impressed,” she added. “Usually when you want to make changes, you’re only interested in going faster or making the ordinary more dangerous. This isn’t like you.”
“I want to mix it up,” he said, when what he was thinking was that this was Shelby’s influence. She’d forced him to do “girl things.” While he’d resisted at first, he had to admit there was value in having a conversation. In learning to listen and offer encouragement without offering advice. He would always prefer doing over sitting, but there was a time and place for both.
“Women either influence or make all family vacation decisions,” he continued. “I need to keep that in mind.”
Fay petted Charlie. “Our little boy is all grown up. I’m just so proud.”
* * *
THE HELP EMERGENCY RESPONSE OPERATIONS, or as it was known in town, the HERO office, was designed to handle a crisis. There weren’t a lot of unnecessary touches. The walls were covered with maps of the surrounding forests, the desks had state-of-the-art computers and the command center looked capable of a space launch.
Shelby had always felt a little intimidated when she visited her brother at work. He rescued people and saved lives—she made cookies. Not that the comparisons were new. After all, he’d been a world-class athlete before heading up the town’s search-and-rescue organization, while she’d, well, baked cookies.
Kipling smiled when he saw her and pulled her close for a hug. “How’s my favorite sister?” he asked when he released her.
“Good. How’s my favorite brother?”
“Tired. Happy, but tired. Tonya’s sleeping longer between feedings, but we are weeks from her sleeping through the night.” He waved Shelby into a chair and sat behind his desk again, swiveling so he faced her. “It’s great.”
“You like being a dad.”
“It’s the best thing ever. She’s so tiny and perfect. I never thought I could love anyone this much.”
Shelby thought about all the women that had paraded through her brother’s life for years. As he’d gotten older, he’d started to settle down, but he’d always had a wild streak. Until he’d met Destiny.
Theirs had been an unconventional courtship—with Destiny’s unplanned pregnancy first drawing them together before tearing them apart. In the end, they’d realized they were in love and wanted to be a family.
Shelby had watched it all from the sidelines. She’d hoped things would work out. Not only did she long to see her brother happy, she genuinely liked Destiny and Starr. Now there was one more Gilmore in the family.
“You’re surrounded by women,” she teased.
“I know. Isn’t it great? How are things with you and Aidan?”
Three days ago, Shelby would have pointed out—for the nine hundred and forty-seventh time—that she and Aidan were just friends. Only she wasn’t sure about that anymore. Making love had changed everything. She wasn’t sure of the consequences, but was sure they existed. With luck, they would all be happy ones.
“Excellent,” she said, thinking of the flowers delivered to the bakery that morning. And the way he texted her at least once an hour.
“Aidan’s a good guy. He was a bit of a player, but he seems to have changed his ways.”
“You’ve been checking up on him?”
“Of course.”
Which was totally what Kipling would do, she thought fondly. He’d always taken care of her. No matter what, her big brother would be there for her.
“You know about the bakery,” she said. “That I’m buying it.”
He nodded. “It’s going to be great.”
“I’m excited. Well, scared, too, but mostly excited. I’m working on my business plan. I’ve already met with a contractor to discuss expanding into the space next door. The landlord is holding it for me. If everything comes together, I’ll have the lease by the end of next week. Once Amber and I get the paperwork signed, I’ll be moving forward.”
There were a thousand details to work out. For one thing, she wanted to change the name of the business to Flour Power. She wanted a new logo and fresh, new boxes and bags for her customers.
He leaned toward her. “I’m glad you’re doing this,” he told her. “When you first wanted to buy into Amber’s business, I know I resisted. I wanted you to be sure. I was wrong about that. You’ve settled into living here as if you were born here. Owning your own business is the next logical step.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She smiled. “Because I’m here to ask you for a loan.”
She had more to say. Like how she wanted a loan, not a partner. That she would be paying him back with interest. That her business plan had been reviewed by both a lawyer and an accountant. But she didn’t get to go there with any of it because Kipling was standing and pulling her to her feet.
He hugged her hard, squeezing until she couldn’t breathe. But that was okay, because she felt the love between them.
“Thank you,” he said and kissed her forehead. “I wanted to offer but didn’t know if I should.”
She smiled at him. “There was a line of people trying to give me money. It was kind of cool. Even Morgan, Amber’s dad, offered me a loan. There’s a surprising amount of money in this town.”
She hugged her brother. “I knew you’d want to be a part of this, so I came to you first. If you only want to take on part of it or would prefer me to go to a bank, I’m—”
“I have the money. I want to give you the loan.”
Kipling had made money skiing, but most of his fortune had come from endorsements. When you had multiple gold medals, the big guys came calling. In addition to the usual equipment deals, he’d had international campaigns with a fast-food restaurant and had been the face—and body—of a clothing line. While the size of her loan terrified her, she doubted it would amount to a single quarter’s interest payment for him.
“Thank you,” she told him. “I was hoping you’d agree. Want me to offer you free cookies for life?”
“No. I get enough of your baked goods as it is. Too many more and I won’t be able to exercise off the calories.” He winked. “I’m married to a country star. I’ve got to look good.”
“I think Destiny would love you regardless.”
“I hope so, but I’m not testing the theory.” He hugged her again. “I’m proud of you, Shelby.”
“Thank you. I’m kind of proud of me, too.”
* * *
AIDAN WANTED TO ignore his cell phone but Nick had called twice in two minutes. “It must be important,” he said as he pushed the button to accept the call.
“You at Shelby’s place?” Nick asked by way of greeting. “I’m coming over.”
Aidan looked at the equipment spread out around them and grimaced. “It’s not a good time.”
“Don’t give me that. I know you’re not naked because you’re not getting any. Whatever you’re doing can wait.”
Before Aidan could protest, there was a knock on the front door. He ended the call and swore.
“Nick’s here.”
“I got that,” Shelby said with a laugh. “Should I let him in?”
Aidan swore. “You’re going to have to.”
He pulled his feet out of the hot water and reached for a towel just as his brother walked into Shelby’s living room.
Nick came to a stop and stared. “Holy crap. What is she doing to you?”
Charlie raced over to greet him. Nick bent and petted the dog as he looked around. “You’re scaring me, bro.”
Aidan glanced at the soaking trays for their feet, all the files, clippers and other equipment on a towel on the coffee table. There were bottles of nail polish, toe separators, buffers and things he couldn’t name but knew how to use.
“I’m the only one who gets her toes painted,” Shelby offered.
Nick swung his head to look at her. “You’re the devil, aren’t you?”
Shelby laughed. “So speaks the man who’s never had a pedicure. Sit.”
Nick looked between them. “I’m not playing your sick game.”
Aidan moved out of the way. “The lady said to sit.”
Nick cautiously sat down. Aidan replaced the water and set the soaking tray in front of his brother.
“You’re going to want to take off your shoes and socks, then roll up your pants.”
Nick looked skeptical. “Then what?”
“Then you wait for things to get soft,” Shelby said, her voice soothing.
Nick swung his head to look at Aidan. “It makes it go soft?”
“No, you ass. The skin on your feet.” Aidan glared at him. “What’s wrong with you?”
“With me? You’re the one having a pedicure.”
“Yeah, a beautiful woman wants to hang out with me and touch my body. It’s miserable.”
“Hey, she’s only touching your feet.”
That was what Nick thought and Aidan wasn’t about to correct him. He saw Shelby hide a smile as she helped Nick roll up his pants. The other man reluctantly took off his boots and socks, then put his feet in the warm water.
“What’s in this?” he asked, his voice suspicious.
“Does it matter?” Shelby winked. “You’re already committed.”
Nick glared at her, then relaxed back in the seat. “Is this what you two do together? Take care of your feet?”
“Among other things.” She sounded serene as she spoke. “Sometimes Aidan braids my hair.”
“She’s kidding,” he said quickly.
“I’m not so sure,” his brother told him. “Man, now I really have to worry about you.”
“Don’t. I’m fine.”
“You’re not seeing the big picture.”
Aidan sat next to Shelby. She shifted so she could put her feet on his thigh. She handed him the base coat.
“Why are you here?” Aidan asked as he began to paint her toes.
“I wanted to tell you about my trip to Happily Inc.,” Nick told him.
Aidan glanced up. “Yeah? You saw Ronan and Mathias?”
“Uh-huh. They’re doing great. It’s an interesting town. East of Los Angeles, in the foothills. High desert, I guess it’s called. But there’s a hot spring and caves and mountains for skiing. It’s more stark than here.”
Aidan looked at him. “Do not, under any circumstances, start describing the colors of everything, I beg you.”
Nick laughed. “Would I do that?”
Shelby sighed. “You would so do that. Did you like it there?”
“I did. I wasn’t sure. It’s smaller than Fool’s Gold by a lot. The big industry is destination weddings. There are venues all over for them. Houses that look like castles or Southern plantations. You can have any kind of wedding you want, with Roman chariots or cowboys.”
“I like cowboys,” Shelby said.
Aidan turned to her. “You do?”
“Who doesn’t?”
“They smell.”
She laughed. “They don’t smell. They’re nice. Zane Nicholson is nice.”
“He’s married.”
“I’m not interested in him in that way. I’m just saying...” She sighed. “Go ahead, Nick. Cowboy weddings.”
He glanced between them, obviously confused. “You two okay?”
“We’re fine,” Aidan told him. “The town?”
“Right. Like I said, there are a lot of weddings. Back in the 1950s, the town was failing. Some guy who owned the bank knew that if the town went under, the bank would go with it because people couldn’t repay their loans. He came up with the idea of changing the town history.”
“You can’t change a town’s history.” Aidan took Shelby’s other foot and started putting base coat on the nails. “It is what it is.”
“Not for this guy. He came up with this story about how, during the California gold rush, a stagecoach full of brides heading for San Francisco broke down in town. Each of the brides fell in love so by the time the stagecoach was ready to leave, none of the women wanted to go.”
“Oh, that’s so nice,” Shelby said. “I want to go there.”
“See?” Nick pointed at her. “It works. The town changed its name. Hollywood types caught on. Remember, this was the 1950s, when celebrity weddings were a huge deal. From that, Happily Inc. grew to what it is today—a destination wedding town. There’s also a sleep center, where they help you sleep better. Something about a convergence of forces or mystic stuff like that. Anyway, I saw the gallery where Ronan and Mathias sell their work. The lady who runs it is really knowledgeable and she doesn’t take a lot of crap.” He thought for a second. “She kind of reminded me of Mayor Marsha.”
“I don’t know if that’s good or bad.”
“Me, either. The space where Mathias and Ronan work is awesome. Big and bright. There’s room for me, too. I looked around and found a few short-term carpentry jobs, so I won’t have a problem finding a job.”
Aidan reached for the nail polish. Shelby shifted so he could start painting her other foot. “You’re doing it, aren’t you?” she asked. “You’re moving?”
Nick nodded. “I rented an apartment. I’m going to give notice at the bar.”
Best of My Love (Fool's Gold) Page 21
