Leaning against the highbacked bench seat, she shook her head. “The meal was so delicious, I couldn’t help but clean my plate. I don’t think I could eat another bite. But thanks for offering.”
“And you, sir?” The waiter turned his attention back to Dex.
“I’m good. We’ll just sit and talk awhile longer if you don’t mind.”
“Stay as long as you like. I’ll be back to check on you in a bit and see if you need anything.” His friendly face added to the restaurant’s relaxed ambiance. Soft jazz, lighting dimmed to a soothing glow, the atmosphere couldn’t be more perfect. With a slight nod, the waiter turned and left the table.
“This is a nice restaurant.” Dex reached across the table and took Aria’s hand. “I’m glad you spotted their sign on the highway.” He leaned in and whispered, “What was the name of this place again?”
“The Jazz Cottage. I didn’t know such a gem existed so close to home. Good food, good service. We’ll have to come back here again and check out some of the other things on the menu.”
“I second that idea.” As long as she came with him and sat her pretty self across from him.
“What would you like to do tonight? I’m sure you’ve had a long day with work, then traveling. I’ve got a ton of movies at the house if you’d like to just chill out. I think we’ve got some microwave popcorn to go with it.”
“A little R and R on the couch with a beautiful girl sounds like a great way to spend an evening. What about your parents though? With your dad coming home on a later flight, do you think they’d want some alone time without us hanging around?”
Aria swatted his idea away with a flip of her hand. “No worries there. My parents have a tradition of spending the first night of Dad’s longer leaves at a hotel by the airport. They won’t be home until tomorrow afternoon.”
“Think you can trust me in the house alone with you?” He skimmed his thumb over the back of her hand.
A slight tremble shook her. Chill bumps quickly appeared on her forearm. She recovered with an abrupt straightening of her spine and a smile. “Do I need to keep my pepper spray handy?”
“I hope that’s not necessary. I’ll try to behave myself. Let me pay the tab so we can hit the road.” He raised a hand and summoned the waiter.
* * * *
Dex held the restaurant door for Aria, followed her outside, and put on his uniform cap. The tiny specks of snow that had been falling when they’d entered the Jazz Cottage were now big, hearty flakes coming down in force. “Hey, look at that. It’s snowing like crazy now. This could be fun. There’s a hill in the back forty of Pop’s house where we used to go sledding when we were kids. If you’re game, maybe tomorrow we can find the sleds in the barn and give it a whirl. What do you think?”
“I’d love it. But you’re going to have to treat me to hot cocoa afterward, the kind with marshmallows, or the deal’s off.”
Aria’s teasing smile made him reel her in for a kiss on the cheek. “You’re on. I’ll even take off your shoes, prop your feet in front of the fireplace, and rub them to warm you up. Treat you like a queen.”
“Can’t say I’d mind being treated like royalty. It sounds like a fun day.” She held her car keys toward him. “Would you mind driving?”
“Not at all.” Dex pocketed them and offered his elbow.
“Thanks. This way, I can look at you the same way you were checking me out while I drove from the airport.” Aria’s toothy smile glowed pearly white in the halo of the streetlight as she took his arm.
“Did you mind me gawking at you?” He’d certainly enjoyed it.
“No, not really. You make me feel—” Aria looked away as if suddenly shy.
“Beautiful? I hope that’s what you were going to say, because that’s what you are. Did you notice the two Middle Eastern men that were sitting at the table not far from our booth?”
“I heard them speaking another language, but I had no idea what it was.”
“Farsi. Want to know what they said about you?”
“I dunno. Is it clean?”
“More or less, depending on cultural references.” Aria hadn’t questioned his knowledge of Farsi. Understandable, since her father also spoke the language. “The younger guy said you were worthy of being wrapped in silk and adorned in pearls and jewels.”
“Wow, that’s quite an accolade. And the older man?” Head lowered slightly, she looked at him like a teacher peering over half-glasses.
“I think I’d better skip that one. Keep it to myself.” And he would enjoy the sensual visual it had evoked in his mind.
“You’ve piqued my curiosity way too far to stop now. What did he say?”
“He said you would look good lying on white satin sheets strewn with rose petals.”
Her eyes sprang wide open. “Ooo-kay, about sledding tomorrow…”
Aria’s reddened cheeks confirmed he should have kept it to himself. “Why the nervous laugh and abrupt change of subject? I don’t see any reason for you to be embarrassed.”
“You’re kidding, right? The guy said he’d like to see me lying naked on—”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who said anything about naked?” He feigned surprise but had to work hard not to smile. “How do you know he wasn’t imagining you in flannel Star Wars pajamas, the one-piece kind with the feet attached?”
Her laughter turned light and happy. “Flannel Star Wars footie pajamas? Is that what popped into your imagination? Tell the truth.”
“Actually, I was leaning more toward Ninja Turtles or Transformers with a sprinkling of rose petals, but yeah.”
She laughed more, her breath clouds rolling and dancing as if they were happy too. “Dex, you’re too funny.”
Dex unlocked and opened the passenger door of Aria’s car.
Still laughing, she pecked him on the lips then slid onto her seat.
Man, was he one lucky hombre to have a girl like her. He jogged around the rear bumper to the driver’s side.
* * * *
“Here’s where we keep the DVDs and Blu-rays.” Aria brought Dex to the bookshelves in the living room. “Might be a few more in the cabinet under the TV. I’ll go get some popcorn started and see what we’ve got to drink.”
“Okay, I’ll pick out a couple. I see one or two that look interesting right off the bat.”
“Good.” Aria went to the kitchen and placed a bag of popcorn into the microwave, found soft drinks in the fridge, and set them on the counter. While the corn popped, she passed through the living room, went to the hall closet, and grabbed two pillows and blankets.
Dex turned from the bookshelf as she went back into the room. He looked at the bedding in her arms. “You’re not planning on crashing out on me, are you?”
She dumped the pillows and blankets on the couch. “No, but for some reason, this is always the coldest room in the house. Mom and I usually cocoon ourselves in blankets when we watch TV.”
“You don’t have to worry about that tonight. I’ll keep you warm.”
His suggestive smile was warming her already. “I’m sure you will.”
Aria brought a bowl of popcorn and two bottles of soda into the living room and set them on the end table next to the couch. “Here you go.” She unzipped her boots and kicked them off in the direction of the coat closet.
“Thanks. Popcorn smells good.” Dex put a short stack of DVD cases next to the TV, sat on the couch, and took a few swallows of root beer.
Aria started a movie then knelt in front of Dex and started untying his boots.
“You don’t have to do that, Ari.”
“I know, but you came a long way to see me, and I want to pamper you a little.”
“Okay, pamper away.” He flipped a curl back from her forehead only for it to fall back where it had been. “Do you always wear your hair up in one of those f
ancy alligator clips?”
“Most of the time.” She tossed his first boot aside and laughed. “If my hair isn’t corralled, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”
“Bigger? You mean frizzy?”
“No, just bouncier and curlier. It’s very unruly.”
“Unruly can be interesting, don’t you think?” He reached for the hairclip. “Mind if I take it off?”
Aria pulled off Dex’s second boot and chucked it over with the other. “No, go ahead.”
Dex removed the pearly clip and Aria’s hair tumbled past her shoulders.
Tossing her head side to side, Aria shook out her curls. “See what a big mess it is?”
It took several seconds for his gaze to take it all in.
“It’s a stunningly beautiful mess.” Dex slid to his knees in front of her, their bodies touching. He raked his fingers into her hair, cupped her head, and kissed her hard and long.
Tipping sideways, Dex lowered Aria to the floor and kissed her with even more fervor.
She held him tight and accepted his advances, the warmth of his body exciting her beyond anything she’d imagined.
The MGM lion roared from the TV, the volume suddenly twice as loud as it had been before. Dex looked at the screen and blew a single breath of laughter through his nose. “That’s probably how your father would react if he caught us making out on the floor like this.” He got up and pulled her to her feet. “You might want to get that mace of yours.”
Aria snatched the remote and lowered the sound, her heart beating jackrabbit fast. Morals aside, every fiber of her being wanted more of what Dex could deliver. But, no. Not like this. Not without a forever commitment on both their parts.
“Aria? Hey, what’s the matter?” He stroked her shoulders. “You’re trembling.”
“Maybe we should just sit and watch the movie?”
Dex pulled her into his arms. “I would never try to coerce you into doing something you’d regret. We’d regret. I’m sorry if I came on too strong just now. It’s just that…”
“I know. I want you too.” His embrace calmed her and slowed the throbbing pulse whooshing in her ears. “And it’s not as if I didn’t lead you on.”
Leaning back, he looked her in the eye. “I promised your father my intentions toward you would be honorable, and I intend to keep my pledge. For once in my life, I want to do the right thing for everybody involved.”
“You talked to my father about us?” She never would have expected that.
“Yes, on the plane going back to North Carolina after Hank’s wedding. I didn’t want there to be any tension between your dad and me. We’ve got enough stress during training and missions without adding personal drama.”
“And he was okay with us?”
“I wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t.” Dexter kissed her softly. “One thing you and I have in common is respect for your father.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Now that she knew her father was on board with their relationship, it made it all the sweeter.
Chapter 15
Snow crunched under Aria’s feet as she walked the path back toward the barn with Dex dragging the sled behind him. Though chilled to the bone, she wouldn’t have missed their afternoon of sledding for the world. “What a blast that was. My legs ache from trudging back up to the top of the hill so many times, but it was worth it. I haven’t had that much fun since I was a kid.”
“Good, I’m glad.” He bumped her shoulder and smiled. “You screamed like a little girl every trip down the hill. What’s up with that?”
“You steered the sled like a maniac. What’s up with that?” If he wanted to dish it out, she’d give it right back to him. And love every minute of it.
Dex laughed. “Touché, crazy girl.”
“Me, crazy?” Aria laughed too. “How’s that?”
“You kept riding with me, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.” She couldn’t resist pecking his cold cheek with a kiss.
Aria waited while Dex put the sled back in the barn then walked beside him into the house.
Pop put his book on his lap and looked up from his recliner. “Looks like you two had a good time. Got enough snow stuffed in those boots of yours, Aria?” He laughed.
“Yes, my socks are soaked, and my toes are so cold I can hardly feel them.”
Dex patted a chair. “Sit here and let me take those off.” He took off her boots and socks, put them in a shoe tray near the door, then rubbed heat into her feet.
“Mmm, that feels good. Look, I can bend my toes again. Thanks, Dex.”
“You’re welcome. Where’d you put that bag with your clothes?”
“Next to the piano.”
Dex rose and looked at Pop. “I told her to bring something to change into since she’d probably end up wet when the snow melted.”
“Good idea.” Pop nodded.
“Come with me.” Dex picked up her bag and took her by the hand. “You can change up in my room.”
Upstairs a minute later, Dex rummaged through bureau drawers in his room. “Let me just grab a few things and I’ll go change in the hall bathroom.” With clothes tucked under his arm, he left and closed the door.
Hurrying, Aria changed and put her wet stuff in the plastic bag she’d brought. So many things in Dex’s bedroom drew her attention—trophies, pictures, books—she couldn’t wait to check them out.
A corner curio cabinet held smaller trophies and ribbons, all from different shooting competitions. She opened the glass door and picked up a photo. In it, Pop stood with an arm around a twelve-, maybe thirteen-year-old Dex, both their faces aglow with grins as Dex displayed a first-place trophy. How handsome he was, even at an early age. He probably had all the girls in his junior high school swooning in the hallways during class changes.
“Aria?” Three soft knocks landed on the door. “You decent?”
“Yes. Come in, I’m dressed.” She shut the curio door.
Steam rose from a cup in the sergeant’s hand. “Cocoa with marshmallows, as ordered, ma’am.”
“Aw, thanks.” Aria took it and blew over it for a moment, then sipped. “Mmm, good. You never disappoint, do you?”
He picked up a framed picture that had been lying facedown on the dresser. “My father would disagree.” Gaiety drained from his smile.
Aria moved alongside him. “Is that your mom and dad?”
Dex handed her the frame. “Yeah, I’d asked if I could take their picture before leaving for basic training. Dad refused, but Mom begged, and he relented. Happy-looking guy, isn’t he? Couldn’t even manage a smile.”
“What a beautiful couple. I see you’ve got your mother’s blond hair and blue eyes. She’s pretty. And your dad looks like a younger version of Pop. He’s very—”
“Sullen, sulky, stubborn, angry, vindic—”
“Handsome is what I was going to say, Mr. Suddenly Nasty. Why would you say such things about your father?” Aria set the photo upright on the dresser.
“You’ll see when you meet him next weekend.”
“What happened between you and your dad? Was it a single event, or a culmination of many?” She sat on a wooden desk chair and crossed her legs. Maybe if Dex got the hint that she wasn’t planning to budge, he’d drop his shield and share whatever it was that had caused the rift between him and his father.
Dex slid his hands into the pockets of his well-worn jeans and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. Frayed edges around the pockets and waistband gave the impression of softness and comfort, contrasting, yet complementing Dex’s strong and well-sculpted arms.
“It was a million little things, but the final blow was when he interfered with me getting into The Academy.”
“The Academy? You mean West Point?”
“Yeah, b
ut I guess I’ve got to backtrack some for the story to make sense. I was a straight-A student from way back. Skipped a grade in grammar school, was always on the honor roll. Even earned some college credits before graduating high school at sixteen.
“My father knew I wanted to go to West Point, but had insisted I also apply to his alma mater, Harvard, and a few other Ivy League schools as a quote-unquote back-up plan in case I didn’t make it into The Academy.”
Dex pushed off the woodwork, then went and sat on the bed. “I’d taken the necessary college entrance tests, got all my ducks in a row with transcripts and other paperwork, and was pretty much set for The Academy. The only problem was, I wouldn’t meet the minimum age requirement of seventeen by the cutoff of July first because my birthday wasn’t until October. I had to wait until the following year to get in.”
“So, what were you planning to do in the meantime? Most sixteen-year-olds I know get a job at McDonald’s, or work in a relative’s business like I did at that age.” Though she couldn’t imagine Dex being happy behind a fast-food counter or working in a store.
With a shake of his head, Dex let out a small, mirthless laugh. “My father probably would have disowned me if I’d taken a job flipping burgers. He wouldn’t have risked losing face in the eyes of his country-club cronies if they found out.”
Dex’s jaw flexed. “I’d been accepted into Harvard, and agreed to go with the understanding that I’d do one year, for no other reason but to please my father, then start The Academy the following fall. I stayed in Cambridge with my brother, Mike, who was completing his last year in Harvard Law.”
“At least you got to hang out with your brother. That was a plus.” There had to be a bright side to the agreement.
He shook his head. “All we seemed to have time for was school and studying. Especially Mike who was struggling with some of his courses.”
“But you completed the whole year? Both semesters?”
“Yes, and was looking forward to West Point after the summer. But that’s when I found my father had been working behind the scenes to make sure I never got admitted. I had two nominations, one from a state representative, and the other from a senator. Both mysteriously withdrew their recommendations. Paperwork glitches concerning my application began to surface, none of which had been a problem before.”
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