* * *
“You know where my boat is because you followed me, didn’t you?”
Aiden steered the Chevelle into an out-of-the-way spot at the marina and shifted into park. They hadn’t spoken much since leaving the dog track.
He turned toward her, a dozen answers flitting through his mind.
“It’s okay. I guess, in a weird way, it’s nice knowing someone who has my back knows where to find me. I don’t exactly tell a lot of people where I live.” She tipped her chin up and pushed her hair back. A security lamp cast her in a pool of light. Her cop guards weren’t here yet, so it was just the two of them.
“Like I told you, I had to be sure you were exactly who you said you were.”
“I’m done being hurt about it. Thanks for the ride home.” She reached for the door and he cut the engine.
“You shouldn’t be alone right now. Dustin’s getting panicked. I don’t want to leave you on your own, especially now that Canales is gunning for you, too.” The cops were a start, but he wouldn’t feel comfortable unless he were on the job himself.
“And you didn’t think to mention this earlier?” She sat back in her seat, frowning at him.
“Earlier I didn’t know things were getting this messy.”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and glanced away.
“I’d say we could go back to my place, but Canales knows where I live and you have free security.” There was a very small bunk at the shop, but it wouldn’t do for both of them, and he didn’t think Madison would be comfortable there. Her boat was the best thing.
“What about a hotel? The boat’s not that big.” She chewed her lip.
“If you’d prefer. We’ll have to go somewhere that will take cash, no cards or IDs, just in case.”
“Forget it. This is probably easiest. But I told you—it’s going to be cramped in there.”
He wouldn’t bother telling her about the places he’d had to sleep while deployed. The missions he and Julian had to go on hadn’t come with accommodations. Besides, he didn’t need much.
He got out of the car and popped the trunk. The jobs he took often wound up putting him in odd positions overnight, so he’d learned to have a bag packed—just in case he also wound up with his car while stranded. It had happened a few times. Madison waited for him while he locked the car. There was an anxious strain to her features, manifesting in lines around her mouth and furrows on her brow.
What was wrong with the boat? Knowing Dustin, the only reason he’d let her escape the divorce with it was because it needed a lot of work. The mental image of her plugging holes with shirts and bailing water was enough to make him want to jump back in his car and go give Dustin a piece of what he had coming to him.
Madison led the way down the docks and to her slip. It was on the outskirts of the marina, and the wood seemed a little warped and worn with age; the other vessels alongside hers had seen better times.
“Do you sail?” he asked. They neared the white-and-blue sailboat.
“What? Me? No idea how.” She laughed.
“Then why did you get it?”
“Clearly you’ve never been divorced.”
“Never been married.” He’d never had the opportunity; between his time in the service and getting caught up in the FBI, there hadn’t been the chance to meet anyone, much less get hitched.
“Well, when they divided up the assets this was what I got. I can’t sell it without putting a new motor in it. A sailboat. A motor in a sailboat. I don’t get it, but whatever. I’m pretty sure Dustin stole it from someone.” She sighed and stepped onto the deck.
Headlights broke up the dark parking lot. He peered at the car until he saw the glint off the rack of lights on top. The cops. Right on time. Madison waved to the car, but didn’t give it much mind. He didn’t mention how lucky she was that the cops were so interested in her. If it weren’t for them, would she be on the bottom of the ocean by now?
He hesitated on the dock. “Permission to come aboard?”
She paused, glancing over her shoulder and smiling for the first time in awhile. “Permission granted, soldier.”
He made the step between land and the boat, pausing as the deck rolled under him. The gentle lapping of waves against the vessels and the distant crash of waves was soothing, in a way. It was a good defensive position, too. He’d feel better about it if the engine worked and they could drop anchor away from land, but he wasn’t much of a sailor.
Madison descended a steep set of stairs and unlocked a door into the cabin. He hung back, surveying the deck and giving her a moment to herself. In the last two days he’d foisted a lot of change and action onto her, and though she’d been hesitant at first, she seemed onboard with their plans now.
At a glance, the boat appeared in decent condition. A little wear was evident in the details and the paint needed a new coat, but it appeared to be a solid vessel. He’d bet that it came to Dustin by way of a drug deal gone wrong, and he’d taken the boat as payment. If he looked hard enough, he could probably find hidden compartments fashioned in out-of-the-way holes where a smuggler would hide his stash. Perhaps once Madison went to sleep he’d do a sweep of it just to make sure all the product was gone and there wasn’t a bug onboard. He wouldn’t stress her out unduly without the need.
“You can come in now,” Madison called from below deck.
He took the stairs two at a time and ducked under the low door.
Shit.
She hadn’t been lying when she said it was cramped. Not to mention—it wasn’t made with anyone over six foot in mind. His hair brushed the ceiling when he straightened. From where he stood, he could reach into the bathroom for a tissue and into the kitchen to the stove. There was a half circle banquet table on one side and a door slightly ajar where he could see a small bedroom beyond. It was clean, well kept, but even then, living in the boat full-time there was only so much space. A line of textbooks was crammed two deep onto a small shelf next to the door and several binders were on the dining table along with a laptop.
“You won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t want to stay here.” Madison leaned against the kitchenette, a bottle of water in hand.
“Babe, I’ve slept in worse conditions.” What he didn’t like was the idea that she’d packed her entire life up into the space of maybe three hundred square feet, and only half of that was livable.
When this was over with, he’d make sure they reallocated funds from Dustin to her. If nothing else, to get her a set of wheels and a better place to live, maybe finish out her school. It would be justice of a sort to make sure her ex provided everything she needed.
“Are you hungry? I’ve got some fish one of the guys gave me that I’ve got to cook. Besides, that Japanese food just doesn’t stick to me.”
“I wouldn’t say no to some food. Mind if I sit?” He gestured to the table.
“Not at all.” She hurriedly packed her laptop away and relocated the binders to her bed. “Sit.”
Aiden sank onto the cushions, folding himself into the small space. He leaned back and admired the view while Madison knelt to grab the smallest baking sheet he’d ever seen from a cabinet. If he put aside the derby and rough times, he could see her as the housewife she’d wanted to be. Someday, she’d make a great mother, fun, stern, and just the right amount of discipline. His chest ached and he knew he had no business mulling over these thoughts. His life was the FBI and leading a pretend life, but what he wouldn’t trade for it to be different.
Chapter Twelve
Madison placed her empty plate on the deck and pulled her knees up to her chest. Her slip might not be the nicest, but from the prow, she had a great view of the ocean. There were boats in the distance going to and fro, while the marina was quiet. The storm had blown off, leaving behind clear skies and drying up her deck furniture.
She glanced sideways at Aiden. They’d come up to the deck to eat with a bit more elbow room. Since she never took the boat out, she’d picked up an out
door bed, complete with waterproof marine cushions, and placed it on the prow for a secondary living space. Usually it was just her, her books, and laptop out here. She’d never thought she’d bring a man here. What must he think seeing her like this?
Out of habit, she checked to see if the cop car was still in sight. The interior dome light illuminated two officers, both with their heads down, probably engrossed with their phones or something else. They never quite made her feel safe. Sure, they were there to protect her, but they didn’t really care about her. How long had it been since she’d had an easy sleep? She was always unsettled, except for now. Aiden was there.
“Who is Emery?” She hadn’t asked many questions since the incident with her bike shocked her, but she’d had some time to regroup.
The muscle at Aiden’s jaw twitched. Was he aware of the tell?
“He’s a guy I work with from time to time.”
It wasn’t a real answer, just like she didn’t know the real Aiden. Sure, she was attracted to him, and they’d had a moment of mutual vulnerability earlier, but he was still a stranger to her.
He would always be a stranger to her.
The terms of their—arrangement—were for a short time, only. When they found the drive, he would be out of her life.
She continued to watch him slowly eat the fish and pilaf she’d whipped up with her small pantry. There was no denying she liked him. Sure, he was still panty-dropping hot, but Aiden was more real to her now than he’d been this morning. In time, she could see herself falling into unrequited love with him.
When she was a kid, she’d thought the right man would change her life. Now, she knew that the role of a man only enhanced what she already had. Aiden’s life was dangerous and everything she’d said she wouldn’t go back to. Her resolve where he was concerned was still solid—whatever happened between them was temporary.
“Staring like that’s starting to put me on edge,” Aiden said between bites.
“Sorry.” She ducked her head and pulled the blanket she’d brought with her across her lap.
“What are you studying?”
“Accounting.”
He glanced at her, brows slightly raised.
“What’s that face for?”
Aiden shrugged. “Nothing, I just figured you’d do something more—I don’t know. Exciting.”
“Exciting degrees cost a lot of money. Everyone needs their beans counted.”
“What are you going to do when you graduate?”
“Probably take a job with my friend’s parents. They own a couple of businesses. The dad does all the books on his own. He’s hinted that it would be nice to have someone to help out.”
“Couldn’t you help without the degree?”
“I do. I organize all the books for Everglades Air and hand them over to him. It’s been a good experience. Besides, they’ll pay me better than any entry-level job I could get otherwise. I know I’m overpaid now. It’s their way of helping me out. I’ve been best friends with their daughter since high school.”
“You’re something else.” Aiden shook his head and placed his plate on top of hers.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He reclined, turning toward her and resting on his elbow.
“Anyone else in your shoes would have let Dustin win, but you keep building yourself up. I said it before, and I’ll say it again.” He glanced toward her, his blue eyes slicing deep, until her heart seemed to quiver for his touch. “You are not what I expected, Madison Haughton.”
Warmth bubbled up in her chest that had nothing to do with the way he stared at her. It was—pride. Hell yes, she’d worked hard and she’d keep going until she’d built the life she wanted. Hopefully, she’d find someone to share it with along the way, but she’d learned her lessons about falling for the wrong guy.
Aiden might be the right type, but he wasn’t for her. There wasn’t room in his life for something without a motor or in need of a tune-up. But there wasn’t room in hers for a man, either. He might promise to make Dustin go away, but until that happened and she graduated—there wasn’t time to devote to a romantic relationship. But would it hurt her to have a little fun on the side?
They continued to study each other openly. The warmth in her chest moved lower and she shifted.
One minute, they could carry on a perfectly normal conversation—albeit the topic matter wasn’t typical—and the next her body hummed with desire. It was as if he flipped some switch in her and made her body wake up in ways she hadn’t allowed herself to pay attention to in years.
She missed sex. The connection. Even the weight of a body pressing her into the mattress.
“Cold still?” Aiden’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“What?”
“You’re shivering.”
She ran her hands up and down her arms. The air was cooler, but her shivers weren’t from the weather.
“Come here.”
Aiden tugged her down to lie next to him and pulled the blanket over himself. He wrapped his arm around her and brought her against his chest. His warmth seeped into her skin, down to her bones, mingling with the low pulse of arousal humming through her veins.
“Is this a good idea?” She didn’t know what she wanted him to say. Yes or no, they couldn’t keep toeing this line with each other without someone getting burned.
Again, the muscle at his jaw twitched. “I was honest with you earlier. I’m attracted to you. If that bothers you, tell me to back off and I will.”
She opened her mouth and closed it. What did she say to that?
“Are you aware you have a tic?” she asked.
“A tic?” His brows drew down into a line. She didn’t blame him for being confused, but she couldn’t address the way he made her body sit up and take notice.
“Yeah, the muscle here, it jumps when you’re concentrating, or maybe you’re irritated?” She brushed her fingers along his jaw.
Aiden sighed and captured her hand. He pressed a quick kiss to her fingers before placing it against him.
“What I do—it’s . . .”
“You don’t have to tell me. I know it’s secret.”
He blew out a breath. “You’re right. I can’t tell you.”
“But let me guess, sometimes it wears you down?”
He stared at her, and in that moment, his gaze said more than his words ever could. There was more going on that she didn’t understand. He was one of the good guys. And the burden of what he did for people like her, it took its toll. So who gave back to him? Who helped him? She would never know his life’s story or what role she was playing in a bigger drama with Michael Evers, but right now she was here. With him.
“Let’s not talk about it, okay?” She mustered a smile and slid her hand around his chest, to rest on his back.
Aiden seemed to breathe a little easier. She needed to figure out how to tell him about Michael’s connection to the airport, but that thought slipped further and further from her mind.
“Kiss me?” she asked before she could think better of it.
He didn’t jump on the request like she expected. Instead, he cupped her cheek, his gaze shuttered and unreadable as he leaned toward her.
“I can’t offer you anything,” he said.
“I know. I’m not asking for anything except a kiss.” She covered his hand with hers. “Whatever happens—happens. No expectations. Deal?”
“You deserve better than that.”
“I know, and so do you, but neither of us have time for more. I’ve got school, derby, and work. You’ve got your shop, racing and—whatever it is you do.” She couldn’t tell if it was the roar of the waves or the rush of her blood pounding past her ears, but it threatened to drown his quiet voice out. Could he feel her pulse racing? Did he know what he did to her? Sure, she had a weakness for his type, but this was more than a simple attraction. She liked him. Respected him.
He studied her for a moment longer, his gaze holding her captiv
e. Something about the blues of his eyes, the way the whole world seemed to fall away and his entire focus centered on her, felt as though it knitted them together. The rest of the world didn’t matter in this second in time.
What did he see when he looked at her? Was it the same for him?
Aiden leaned toward her. Madison’s gaze dropped to his lips. He tilted his head. She sighed the moment their mouths touched and slid her hand up to his shoulder, holding on to him while he pressed her onto her back.
He suckled her lower lip, drawing the bit of flesh between his teeth and teasing her. She gasped as she experienced the first full-body throb of arousal. He covered her mouth with his and flicked his tongue against hers. She mimicked him, teasing him as he teased her. Her nipples constricted into tight points and she found herself arching toward him, but he held himself away from her.
Madison pulled on his shoulders, wanting to feel more of him. He pressed his knee between her legs, settling some of his weight on her. She hooked her knee over his thigh. He’d made her come on a kiss once already. What else could he do? There was no denying her celibacy had left her primed and ready for any sexual experience. Aiden would be different. She knew it. It was in the way he touched her, the long looks, the slow approaches.
He planted his hands on either side of her shoulders and shifted until his weight settled on top of her, his legs between hers and their bodies aligned. She couldn’t see his face, but she felt his gaze and smiled.
Whatever happened—happened.
She might not be able to keep her end of the bargain and remain emotionally untangled, but she could sure as hell enjoy the moment. Tomorrow, she’d sort herself out. Tonight, she’d take whatever came.
Aiden swooped down, kissing her again. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing their bodies together harder, until she could feel the pulse of his heart against her own. He rocked against her and she gasped, the seam of her jeans rubbing her just right. She groaned and arched her hips, uncaring what he thought of her for last night’s little light show.
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