Caleb was silent, as if he was processing what Aaron had proposed. “So if I find a shell first, I get an ice cream?”
“Yep, buddy, you do.”
“Okay then. I bet I beat you.”
He let go of her hand and began walking down the beach again, head lowered as he studied the sand looking for the perfect shell.
“Thank you.” There was more she wanted to say, but she couldn’t form the words in her mind. For a few seconds when he was talking to Caleb, it felt like they were a real family.
Imagining a future with Aaron would be impossible.
She wasn’t planning on going back to LA. If she even mentioned she was contemplating a move back to the west coast, Shannon’s parents would have their petition in for full custody before she could count to five.
“I think I found one.” Caleb’s voice floated over to her. “Oh no, it’s broken.”
“He’s taking this seriously isn’t he?” Aaron brushed his fingers down her arm, the touch light and comforting.
“Yes, he enjoys giving Glenda the shells when he sees her. Although…” Aaron didn’t need to know about her problems, so she didn’t finish. She’d already shared too much with him as it was.
“Although?”
“It’s nothing. I’m probably reading too much into what Caleb said.”
“If it’s got you worried, then it’s not nothing.” He entwined their fingers and squeezed, exactly like she’d done with Caleb.
She squeezed back.
“Talk to me, Sienna. For as long as I’m here, I’ll listen no matter how inconsequential you think it may be. Talk while I look for a shell.”
They walked in silence, her mind processed what he’d said. It didn’t make sense that he was so eager to know about her problems with Caleb. Surely, he didn’t want to discover information so he could use it against her at a later stage. Tempt her back into doing a movie.
No. He’s not like that.
She wanted to believe the little voice in her head. Really she did, but after all the false friends she’d had in Hollywood, trusting was too hard. This was Aaron, though. A man who’d never turned his back on her, no matter what trouble she’d got herself into. “Why are you doing this?”
“What? Looking for a shell? Or walking with you?”
“All of it.” Sienna waved her free hand in the air. “You’re here on vacation. You could be doing any of the water activities the resort has to offer. But here you are walking along a beach with a has-been actress and her son, who isn’t really her son.”
“Stop that right now.” Aaron released her hand and gripped her shoulders, turning her so she had no option but to look into his eyes.
They resembled the gulf when a storm was brewing. Murky and gray. Not the sparkling blue they’d been when he’d been talking to Caleb.
“I’m here because I want to be here. I like you, Sienna. I always have.” His head lowered and he captured her lips in a hard kiss.
She moaned beneath the onslaught. This was everything she’d always wanted with him.
To be held by him.
Kissed by him.
Made to feel like she was the center of someone’s universe.
Her arms closed around his shoulders and she angled her head to deepen the kiss. God, how she wanted to feel his body over hers. His hands learning every inch of her. Her nipples pebbled against her bikini top. The flesh ached to be caressed.
His lips abandoned hers and began a slow trail across her jawline until he found her earlobe. She sucked in a breath as his teeth nipped.
They were standing in the middle of the resort’s beach. Anyone could see them. Her care-factor was zero at being caught. But Caleb could be watching. She came crashing back to earth and she pulled out of Aaron’s embrace. Her breath sawing in and out. “Caleb.” It was all she could manage.
“Is fine.” He ran a hand over her hair. “He’s looking for shells.”
So caught up in Aaron’s embrace, she hadn’t given the little boy’s safety a thought.
All it took was a split second of inattention for a disaster to occur.
“How could I have been so stupid?” she muttered. “Anything could’ve happened to him.”
“But it didn’t.”
Anger at herself more than at Aaron flared to life within her. “It’s so easy for you to say. You’re not the one who’d have to explain to Shannon’s parents that I’d lived up to their expectations and harm had fallen on their grandson.”
“You can’t do this to yourself, sweetheart. You can’t put so much stress on yourself. It’s unhealthy for you both. It’s my fault anyway. I kissed you. And even though I want to do it again, I know I can’t.” The corner of his lips lifted in a sexy smile.
Again unbidden thoughts of a future with Aaron pummeled her brain. These dreams were more intense than the fantasies she’d weaved while trying to get his attention when she’d been working.
He’d been honest with her, now it was time to be honest with him. “I want to kiss you again, too.”
Aaron growled and hugged her close. “You shouldn’t tell me things like that.” He released her and, once again, linked their fingers together. “We have shells to find, and you need to tell me what Caleb said that got you so worried.”
Chapter Eleven
Sienna’s muted voice drifted out of the bathroom as she counseled Caleb on the need to brush his teeth, no matter how tired he was.
Aaron couldn’t hear his response, although he had a fair idea the boy would be grumbling.
After they’d found shells on the beach, and Sienna and Caleb had showered and changed, he’d taken the duo to dinner and ice cream, as promised.
Caleb had almost fallen asleep into his treat. When the boy hadn’t objected to Aaron carrying him back to the villa, he’d known that the three of them had crossed a bridge.
As they’d walked to where Sienna was living, he’d seen the indulgent smile of some of the guests they walked past. Even heard the odd, ‘what a lovely family’ comment, which made him smile and his heart swell. He didn’t mind being referred to as a family. In fact, he quite liked the idea.
What about Sienna? He’d noticed the way she’d tensed at the remarks. No doubt worried that somehow, some way, word would get back to Caleb’s grandparents that she’d let a strange man carry their grandson.
Well, he wouldn’t let anything happen to her or her son. He may have only met the boy a few days ago, but he’d do everything in his power to protect him. Caleb was important to Sienna. And Sienna was important to Aaron.
“God, he’s exactly like David. So stubborn when he’s tired.”
He patted the cushion next to him. “Come sit and relax. Is he asleep now?”
“Oh yes, he sleep-walked from the bathroom to the his bed. I’d read one sentence of his book before his snores drowned me out.” She flopped down on the couch next to him. Her fresh wildflower scent teased him.
Aaron wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her tight against his side.
Her hand smoothed across his stomach and he couldn’t stop the muscles twitching beneath her touch.
Nor another part of his anatomy perking up at the closeness of their bodies.
“Do you want to watch a movie or some TV?”
“Sure,” said Sienna.
“Well, we’re at your place, so you’ll have to be in charge of the remote.”
Now that was a stupid idea. He mourned as Sienna moved away.
The room illuminated with the ambient glow of the television as Sienna pulled up the guide.
The last thing he wanted to do was watch television. Aaron wanted to pick up where they’d left off at the beach. It’d been a long, long time since he’d made out with someone on a couch, but that was exactly what he wanted to do.
“Anything take your fancy?” she asked.
“You.” The word burst out of him before he could stop it.
Whatever he’d been expecting, it hadn’t been the
room being plunged into semi-darkness again and Sienna straddling his lap, facing him.
“Good, because I fancy you, too.”
His eyes adjusted to the faint glow of light coming from the hallway and his breath caught when he saw the desire burning brightly in her eyes. A look he recalled seeing on her face in the past whenever they’d been together at an event.
Had she always desired him?
He’d long ago made the decision never to get involved with anyone he represented, but had he subconsciously noted every little thing Sienna had done?
The timing had been all wrong for them in the past. Was now the right time? Were they always destined to be together?
And when did he start thinking like a romantic comedy movie?
Sienna wiggled down until their hips met. His body’s responded immediately and it would be impossible for her not to notice.
The smart thing to do would be to get up and go to his villa.
Right at this second, he wasn’t feeling very smart.
“This could be the dumbest thing I’ve ever done,” she murmured before she lowered her head toward his.
“Nope, not dumb at all,” he responded as he met her mouth.
A groan ripped through him when their lips collided. Resisting her was impossible. Aaron smoothed his hands up her back, lifting the silky top she wore. Her arms lifted and he slipped the fabric over her head, their lips parting for a few seconds before joining again.
They should stop. There was a child down the hallway who could walk in on them any minute.
This attraction that had flared to life between them seemed impossible, only it was as real to him as the way his hands mapped her perfect bottom.
Her fingers slipped under his shirt and he reveled in the sensation of having her touch him. He wanted more. Aaron wanted her hands all over him.
“Are you sure you want to do this? Caleb is in the other room.”
Her lips parted into a soft smile and his breath caught in his chest. God, she was beautiful. The cameras had loved her and she’d loved every second of it. How could he not admire how she’d given it all up to look after a child that wasn’t her own?
“Yes, I’m very sure. It’s going to sound selfish, but I want something for me. For the last six months, I’ve done nothing but put Caleb first. It’s what he deserved. Spending time with you has made me realize I was in danger of forgetting to let myself live my life. So yes, Aaron, I want this more than you can ever imagine.”
He tightened his grip around her and moved to the edge of the sofa. Then he stood, holding her closer. “Bedroom?” he asked.
“Down the hall and to the right.” She peppered the words with kisses along his jaw.
He was surprised he could walk with the way his body reacted to having Sienna in his arms. Whatever happened after tonight, he wasn’t going to regret any second of it.
Aaron shouldered open the door to her room. He carefully lowered her to the bed. His body was anxious to sample the delights Sienna would provide him with.
As she scooted up to the mass of pillows, he pulled his polo shirt over his head, tossing it to the floor. His hand went the button of his shorts, pausing when he spied Sienna’s tongue peek out and run across her lips. He could think of many places where he’d like to feel that tongue.
With quick movements, Aaron shucked his shorts, grateful they were at a beachside resort and he didn’t have to worry about pulling off shoes and socks.
“This is quite the show you’re giving me, for a change.”
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, you never gave me a show.”
“Not for lack of trying,” she muttered.
He stilled. “What?”
“Nothing. I said nothing.”
A slight pink hue suffused her cheeks.
Aaron could push the issue, and maybe he would. Just not now. Now he wanted to recapture the mood that’d engulfed them when they’d been in her living room.
He kept his gaze on her face, looking for any indication Sienna wanted to halt what they were about to start. Again her tongue darted out to wet her lips and it was no shocker; she still wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Aaron crawled up the bed until he lay over her. He propped himself up on his elbows so their bodies weren’t touching, even though his was screaming for him to take possession of her.
He wasn’t going to rush this moment. It’d been too long since he’d been with a woman he cared about. And he did care about Sienna.
Aaron had always been concerned about her. Lying beneath him, he suspected was the real Sienna and as much as he liked and respected the Hollywood Sienna, he admired this woman more.
“You’re taking too long.” She wound her arms around his neck and tried to pull him down.
He resisted the temptation to let her have her way. Instead he lifted himself away, letting his fingers skate between her breasts and trace down her stomach until he stopped at the waistband of her shorts. “No, I’m committing every second. Every touch. Every sigh you make to my memory. This isn’t going to be a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am moment.” Aaron gave her no time to respond as he flicked open the button of her shorts and pulled the zipper down, as he kissed her again.
Her mouth opened beneath his at the same time her legs parted, allowing him to pull them off. He lowered himself down so they touched from lips to toes.
Nothing in his life was ever going to be the same again. The realization should’ve scared him; instead he absorbed it, accepted it for the truth that it was.
He wanted Sienna Fairley.
And he would have her.
Chapter Twelve
Having Aaron hold her, kiss her, touch her, exceeded any fantasy she’d ever had. Nothing in Sienna’s dreams could’ve prepared her for the way his kisses set her world on fire.
Part of her accepted that this was only going to be a short-term thing. Maybe even one night.
The distance separating them was only one factor. No way could she return to Hollywood. No way would she expose Caleb to the smoke and mirrors and falseness that surrounded La-La Land.
No way would she risk losing custody of Caleb for a man.
No matter that she loved him. And she did love Aaron. Had loved him for so many years no other man could turn her eye the way Aaron had and still did.
“I want you so much,” Sienna whispered in his ear as his lips nipped at her jaw. “Take me now, Aaron. I can’t wait any longer.”
He chuckled and she shivered at the sound, her toes tingling in delight. “Patience, sweetheart. I told you I planned to memorize every second of this. I can’t do that if I rush.”
In all her bedroom encounters with the opposite sex, no one had ever put her needs first. It was something she could get used to and perhaps Aaron did have a point.
She should be doing the same thing so when she was alone again, she could pull out the one night when she’d let herself forget she was a new mom and became a woman who desired a man.
“Okay.”
He smiled before he reached around and unclipped her bra. Aaron kissed her shoulder, his teeth closing around her bra strap and tugged it down. The whole time, his lips kept contact with her skin. He repeated the action on her other strap and once it was free from her arms, he flung it over the side of the bed.
“Smooth move, Mr. Agent Man.”
“I’ve got plenty more where that came from.” Aaron swiveled his hips, his hardness brushing against her sex.
Holding back a groan was impossible. All she wanted was to be possessed by him. Owned by him. Sienna didn’t care if that wasn’t the politically correct thing in today’s world. It was what she wanted.
She wanted someone to share the burden of raising Caleb with, but she couldn’t push that onto him.
His hand dipped inside her panties. His fingers danced over her slick folds. She lifted her hips encouraging him to sink into her. His answer to her request was to pull his hand out.
“You are so not playing fai
r.”
“Anticipation makes the reward even sweeter.”
His hand now went to the lacy top of her panties and tugged them down.
She lifted one leg then the other, to ease the removal of the scrap of lace. Sienna needed to take matters into her own hands. She found the elastic band of his boxer briefs and slipped beneath the fabric. Her fingers squeezed his ass before grabbing the material to remove his remaining piece of clothing.
Finally there were no clothes between them. His erection rested against her thigh. Eagerness sizzled through her veins. Perhaps he’d been right when he said anticipation would make it better.
Their lips collided again and she ground her hips against his engorged flesh, wanting it to fill her. To soothe the ache building inside her.
“Protection?” he mumbled the word against her lips.
The villa was prepared for all situations and there was a brand new box of condoms in the top drawer of the bedside table. When she’d spied them there not once did she consider any of them would get used.
“Top drawer.”
Aaron shifted them closer to the table. Never losing contact with her mouth, he pulled the drawer open.
She didn’t know how he did it one handed—whether he’d had a lot of practice, something she didn’t want to know about—but the crinkle of foil sounded in the room. “Let me,” she said as her hand gripped his.
Anchoring one arm under her he flipped them until she sat on top of him, his erection bumping her stomach. “Go for it.”
Sienna took the small packet out of his hand and ripped it open with her teeth. An unexpected nervousness filled her. She’d put condoms on guys before. It wasn’t a difficult task.
This encounter with Aaron meant more to her than all her previous ones. He meant something to her. She wanted it to be perfect.
Way to set yourself up to be disappointed. You know sex is never perfect.
She wanted to argue with that voice in her head and tell it that she’d been sleeping with the wrong guys. This time would be different.
“Hey, you okay?” Aaron’s fingers brushed her cheek as he hooked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear.
Barefoot Bay: Wrong Time for Mr. Right (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 6
