“How have the donations for the center been coming along?” Aiden asked.
“Really well. We already have enough money to buy a surveillance system.”
“Have you managed to get ahold of Marilyn on the cruise ship?” he asked.
“No. I’ve left messages on her cell phone, but I’m not sure she’s getting them. Have you?”
“I’ve tried calling the cruise line, but I’m not having any luck.” He took a breath like he wanted to say something more. Piper hoped it was something along the lines of “I need you. Right here, right now” or “Your eyes are like two pieces of amber burning in the morning sunrise.” Or something to that effect, but in the end, he looked away. “It’s busy here today.”
Whatever he wanted to say, she decided to let it go. If he wanted to tell her, he would. “It’s too nice to be cooped up inside.”
“I come here sometimes to run in the morning, but I’m not often free in the afternoons.”
Again she wondered why he was free so often as of late. It certainly gave her a strong impression. Her traitorous fingers twitched again, reaching for his.
He turned his back to the bridge to face Sea Cliff, the cluster of houses clinging to the imposing cliffs that vied for the best view in town. Shielding his eyes, he searched like he could spot his home from there.
“Must be nice to live so close to a beach,” Piper said.
“It has its advantages.”
“Like a convenient nudist beach?” She nodded in the direction of the bridge.
She’d come there before, hoping to glimpse a school of dolphins, something not unheard of from Baker Beach. She found out the hard way that if you wandered too far north you’d see more than a few dorsal fins poking out of the water.
She grinned. “It’s like a free striptease.”
“Yeah, but unlike yours, you don’t get a thoughtful song at the end.”
“Hey!” She threw him a sour look, but the smile ruined the effect.
“Why is it that the only people you see on nude beaches are never the ones you want to see naked?”
“Oh, so you have taken a peek, have you?”
He shrugged. “I might have jogged a little too far one time.”
“So if not them, then who do you want to see naked?” She bit her lip. Again, it was the kind of thing she’d normally blurt out, but when the skin beneath his close shave turned too pink to be from the sun her own cheeks heated in response.
But the idea made her wonder, not for the first, or second, or the tenth time that day, what he might look like if they wandered farther north to join the nudists. Date or not, they were at a beach. Was it so unreasonable to hope that he’d go shirtless that day? Even though he was her boss? Even though he kept saying he didn’t mix business with pleasure? Even though he might be having some kind of tryst with his personal assistant? Even though … nope. She didn’t care. “Take it off!” she wanted to scream.
It seemed only fair, since he’d seen her in next to nothing on several occasions after her telegram jobs. But so far, she’d already coaxed him out of his suit and tie and into another pair of light khaki shorts and a light blue shirt. At this point, she would have settled for a button or two. Just a hint, to add a little detail to her daydreams. Chest hair? No chest hair? A couple of fine pecks to match that pair of toned biceps peeking out beneath his sleeves?
She didn’t realize she was staring at the collar of his shirt until Aiden reached out and grabbed her arm. He steered her to the side so that she narrowly missed stomping on a sand castle, still under construction by two little kids. The motion sent her stumbling against him—and if she “accidentally” copped a feel of those firm pecks, it totally wasn’t her fault.
“Whoa, Godzilla,” he said. “Leave the city alone.”
Skirting around the kids, she shook off the fog in her brain. There were far too many people around for her to continue riding that train of thought. Keep it breezy, she told herself. Totally blasé. Big on the aloof, less on the doof.
She wandered closer to the water’s edge, letting the cool waves wash over her feet as she and Aiden followed the dogs exploring the shore. Aiden removed his sandals and waded in next to her.
“So why did you decide to become a veterinarian?” he asked her. “When your calling is so obviously professional telegram girl?”
She gave him a withering look but answered seriously. “Because I love animals. All animals. We just have a connection, you know. Sometimes I think I can understand what they’re saying. Like they’re talking to me.”
“See, this would have been important to mention on the day I interviewed you. This was the crazy I was looking for.”
She laughed. “I know I can’t actually hear them. But it’s like if you pay enough attention they all have their own little personalities. Like miniature people.”
“Why dachshunds?” he asked. “What drew you to them and the center?”
“We had a dachshund while I was growing up. We had to give him up when my mom and I moved to San Francisco. I guess I started volunteering at the rescue center because it reminded me of home. And then came Colin.”
“And you just couldn’t say no.”
“Well, I did at first. It’s against my tenant agreement to have pets in my apartment.” They’d caught up to the dogs and she bent down to smoosh Colin’s adorable face. “But how could I say no to this pretty face?”
“You’re not one for rules, are you?”
“What can I say?” She shrugged unapologetically. “I march to the beat of my own kazoo. At least I’m not afraid to do what I want to do and say what I want to say.” But apparently not when it came to Aiden, she added to herself. “Life is short. I could get into a car accident tomorrow and die.”
“In your car?” he said. “Yes.”
She gave him a playful punch on the arm. “Don’t you ever do anything against the rules, Mr. Caldwell? Something crazy or unexpected?”
“Are you kidding? Me?” He held a hand to his chest. “Look at me. I’m completely outside-the-box. I’m a cargo pants and plaid shirt kind of guy.” He waved a Vanna White hand at his ensemble.
Piper took the opportunity to give him another ogle, top to bottom. “I’m sorry to tell you, but it’s not so outside-the-box when it’s exactly what I told you to wear on the first day.”
“Yeah, well, last week I wore stripes. And who knows what will happen next week? It could be Hawaiian flowers.”
“Hawaiian flowers?” Her eyes widened. “You rebel, you.”
“Are you making fun of me?” he said in mock seriousness.
“Me? Never.”
“Don’t you know who I am?”
She pressed her lips together, trying not to smile. “A cargo pants kind of guy?”
His head swiveled to her. The look on his face was like the moment before a cat pounces on a mouse. Her muscles tensed and she held her breath. The corners of his mouth curled. And then he leapt.
Piper was ready. With a shriek, she dodged his reach, but he stood between her and dry land. All she could do was run through the shallows, the water and waves slowing her down. She could hear him splashing close on her heels, gaining on her.
Laughing, she twisted away, trying to double back, but now she was too deep. The cool bay water splashed up her shorts and soaked though. His arms encircled her, lifting her up and out of the water like a deep-sea marlin plucked from the ocean.
“Oh no you don’t,” he said, cradling her in both arms. “You need to be punished for that insubordination.”
She giggled. “I would prefer suspension with pay.”
He waded out a few paces, deeper into the cool water. While the sun shone hot, only the bravest of beachcombers had dared to take a dip.
Piper struggled in his arms. The water lapped at the butt of her shorts and back. She squealed, but he strode until he was waist deep. She felt him shudder at the temperature. He had her completely at his mercy. And despite the threat of a dunki
ng, that turned her on a little.
“You wouldn’t,” she said.
“Wouldn’t I?”
“You know, they say a sign of a good boss is a merciful boss.”
“You can’t show weakness in front of your employees. Sometimes you have to make an example out of them.” He hesitated and narrowed his eyes at her. “Unless you have anything to say for yourself.”
She tightened her grip around his neck, determined that if she was going down he was going down with her. She couldn’t help but notice his own hold on her tightened, hands hot against her skin, her breasts squishing up against his firm chest.
“You’ll get your doggy treats wet,” she tried to reason with him. “What will your dry cleaner say?”
This was obviously not the answer he wanted. There was just enough time to gulp a breath of air before they both went under.
A second later, they shot up, shrieking and gasping at the chill. Goose bumps rising on her skin, she darted for the shore, Aiden following in her wake. By the time they reached shallow waters, their shrieks were replaced with laughter. Colin and Sophie joined in, unsure of what game they were all playing but still enthusiastic about it.
Piper expected the involuntary dip to be like a cold shower that would jolt her out of her increasing lust for her boss that afternoon, but it only made it worse. Her skin was hypersensitive, every sensation in her body amplified. The foam from the waves tickled the insides of her thighs, skin tingled, cold muscles clenched.
He tugged her back playfully toward his body, the same desire in his touch, a greedy craving to feel more of her. His fingertips brushed her skin, his body leaned toward her, connecting at every chance. When his hips pushed against her, it certainly gave her a whole new impression, one that pressed against the small of her back—and it wasn’t the dog toy in his pocket.
His green eyes drifted down to her lips. “Are you ready to go back to my place?” His voice, though shaking with the chill, was low and deep, laced with purpose.
“I’m ready.”
More ready than he could ever know. It was like a fire had been lit inside her, low in her belly, hot and smoldering. It had burned off any lingering doubts about the CEO. They headed for shore, and he placed a hand on her lower back, almost urging her back to his place. And she hoped it was so he could stoke that fire with his wood.
17
Territorial
After the chill of their dip, Aiden and Piper reveled in the relief of the sun-warmed sand as they made their way back to Lobos Creek, which fed into the bay. Colin and Sophie followed at their heels, still excited by the human game that began by splashing in the water. Whatever it was, even the doxies could tell it wasn’t over, like they could sense the same tension in the air that made Piper overly aware of Aiden. His nearness, his breathing, and once in a while she’d catch him gazing at the wet clothes that clung to her body—when she wasn’t busy staring at his, of course.
Finally, they reached the low wooden stairs at the base of the cliffs that led to Aiden’s house. She went ahead of him, and after the third time he hissed from the pain of stubbing his toe on the uneven steps she knew exactly what his eyes were focused on. The steep climb up the low sand-covered steps warmed them up, but when they burst through Aiden’s double front doors and into the central-air-controlled interior, Piper gasped at the cool wall of air that hit her.
She wrapped her arms around herself and danced on the spot to keep warm. Colin and Sophie thought it was part of the game and danced with her. She briefly wondered how much body heat they would throw off if she picked them both up and cuddled them.
Her teeth chattered. “I’m still soaked.”
“Would you like to borrow some clothes?” Aiden asked.
“A tie feels a bit formal right now.”
“I do own clothes other than suits, you know!” he called back as he disappeared down the hall.
Aiden returned with a luxuriously puffy towel, large enough to encompass two people. He unfolded it and held it up for her. “Here, this might help.”
Desperate for its warmth, she rushed toward him. He wrapped it around her, only once he had, his arms were around her too. It was like an accidental embrace. One of those things that just sort of happens, and neither of them saw it coming until they were there, so close, his arms still around her.
Aiden seemed to realize it at the same time. But neither of them went to move. Instead, Piper shifted a half step closer, so that her body rubbed against his. His hands began to trail over her back, drying her with the towel.
For the first time, she was confident of how he felt. After everything he’d said that day, maybe more the way he’d said it, how relaxed he’d become around her since they’d met, there was no doubt.
The heat of his hands warmed her skin through the linen, or maybe it was the nearness of his body, the way his hands began moving slower, pressing her body against the contours of his. It had grown so quiet in the foyer that she could hear the sound of her heartbeat in her short breaths.
Her arms were pinioned to her sides by the towel. If they hadn’t been, she might have reached up and pulled him toward her, wrapped them around his neck. All she could do was tilt her face up and let him do the rest.
For a moment, she worried she might be left standing there, head cocked at a weird angle like a burrowing owl, waiting for a kiss that would never happen. A wrong impression. Her heart lurched a beat, and another. Then his half-lidded eyes closed and his head dipped down to hers.
And then the doorbell rang.
He pulled away and straightened up. “Tamara.”
“No.” She pointed at herself. “Piper.”
He shook his head as though in a daze. “I mean, I made an appointment with Tamara for this afternoon.”
He stepped away and the towel crumpled to the floor. Cool air hit Piper’s skin, shocking her out of her lusty fog.
There was a very distinct transition when Aiden transformed into his professional alter ego. He reached up, Piper thought to maybe adjust his tie, but when he found it missing he dropped his hands and reached for the door handle. She sighed, realizing the moment was over. Whatever had been about to happen, well … wouldn’t.
“Hi, Tamara.”
The graceful brunette stepped across the threshold with a radiant smile for Aiden. Then her eyes landed on Piper and it looked more like she was baring her teeth. She eyed the state of their clothing, still dripping seawater onto the floor. “Is this a bad time?”
Yes, Piper thought. “Hi, Tamara. Nice to see you again.”
“We had a bit of an accident at the beach today,” Aiden said in explanation, as though sweeping the experience under the rug. “I’ll just go change. I’ll be right back.”
He climbed the broad, curving staircase to the second floor. The moment he disappeared from sight, Tamara took a step toward Piper, until they were practically nose to nose. Or rather, nose to chin, since Tamara was taller.
“Aiden is a busy man. He doesn’t have time for distractions,” she said as she swept her eyes over Piper’s disheveled clothing.
Piper jolted in surprise. A smile formed on her lips like it was some kind of strange joke, but Tamara wasn’t laughing. Her serene face had transformed, like her porcelain skin had cracked to release some kind of creature festering beneath the smooth surface.
Was it just Piper’s imagination? Creating competition where there wasn’t any? Let’s face it, Pipe, she told herself morosely. There was no competition there.
“You’re taking him away from his work.” Tamara’s eyes widened so Piper could see the whites.
“Away from his work?” she scoffed. “Or you?”
Tamara hissed. Actually hissed, like a feral cat. Piper took an automatic step back, unsure if she’d take a swipe at her next. Her foot caught in the towel lying on the floor. She tried to right herself, but Tamara was bearing down on her, all eyes, and teeth, and hissing.
Feet wrapped up, Piper fell straight bac
k. Out of instinct, she reached out and grabbed hold of the nearest thing—which happened to be Tamara.
Her hand clamped around neatly curled hair. Tamara screamed out. Together they dropped to the floor in a heap, landing in the puddle of water that had formed beneath Piper.
They scrambled, their slick limbs slipping on hardwood and over each other. Piper thrashed to get away, but Tamara’s efforts were more hinder than help. And painful, Piper thought as she felt a vicious tug on her hair, followed by a scratch of nails down her leg. She screamed out.
Colin and Sophie were jumping, growling, barking all around them, unsure if it was a new game or if Piper needed help. She slipped again, falling hard on her butt. Tamara rolled on top of her, that wild look still in her eye, her hands reaching out toward her. To what? Strangle her? Claw her eyes out?
Piper pushed her away with both hands. Aiden’s footsteps pounded down the steps.
“What’s going on down here?” he asked. “I heard—”
Like a tableau from a play, both Piper and Tamara froze. Piper only then realized where her hands had landed. Right on Tamara’s supple breasts—which were far too perky and firm for their size. Come on, Piper thought, like it wasn’t enough that she was utterly perfect? Besides the psychotic mood swings.
Aiden laughed, and Piper glanced at him in surprise. How could he possibly think this was funny? But then she looked at Tamara. Her expression appeared so docile that she had to do a double take. Her pretty face flushed as though from embarrassment, not from the effort of practically trying to kill Piper. The porcelain had smoothed out, the monster tucked back inside.
Aiden reached down to help Tamara up. “You two ladies wouldn’t be fighting over me, now would you?” he joked.
If he only knew, Piper thought. “Actually—”
“The floor was wet,” Tamara interrupted. “Piper accidentally slipped and I tried to help her up.”
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