Chapter Twenty-Two

Light filtered across Shay’s eyelids. She turned her head, reluctant to wake up, warm and snuggled under the covers. She hadn’t slept so soundly in a very long time. Peeking through her eyelashes, she saw she was alone, and the light came from a slit in the curtains.

Aden, true to his word, had just held her, spooning around her. It felt good to sleep in a man’s arms again. Sounds of clattering came from the kitchen. She sat up and grabbed her phone. Eight-thirty. There were also a bunch of text messages from Joanna.

Propping up on the pillows, she shot off a quick reply to let her friend know she was safe and with Aden. She would call later. Leaning back against the headboard, Shay weighed her options. Even though they hadn’t had sex, waking up the next day and facing Aden could still be awkward.

While she debated what to do, the door swung open.

The man in question entered, leaning on one crutch, and holding a mug in the other. “Coffee for m’lady?”

Okay. Light and funny she could do.

“Certainly m’lord. ‘Tis the only way to start one’s day.” She spoke in an exaggerated British accent.

If anyone ever told her limping could be graceful, she’d never have believed it, especially from such a big man as Aden House. But he pulled it off. Shay couldn’t help admiring his awesome looks and physique. No wonder he’d been chosen to host a TV show. Hauling around crates of food, chopping, and pounding things wasn’t an easy job and his body showed it. With his broad shoulders, muscular arms, and tall trim figure—the man was definitely star material.

His brown eyes locked on hers when she took the steaming mug of coffee from him. A sudden case of shyness had her murmuring, “Thank you.”

“How are you doing this morning?” Aden ran a hand up her blanket-covered leg, and let it come to rest on her knee.

A shiver ran up her spine. She blew into the cup and took a sip before answering. “I’m good.”

Aden reached over her bent knees and took the mug. After taking a sip and setting it on the table next to the bed, he joined her, leaning against the headboard. “I like you being here.”

She reached for the cup and deflected. “Hey, mine. No take-backs.”

Grasping her arm, Aden pulled her over toward him. “I want a good morning kiss.”

“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.” She pushed against his chest.

“I don’t care.”

Before she could object any further, Shay found herself lying atop the broad chest she’d admired moments ago, with her legs alongside his hip. “Aden, don’t hurt yourself.”

Not even bothering to answer her, he lifted his head to hers. “I told you I want a good morning kiss. Don’t you?”

Relenting, she reached up and stroked a finger down his cheek. When she reached his goatee, instead of answering, she tugged him toward her, and he didn’t put up a fight. Closing her eyes, she parted her lips and welcomed him.

****

Aden, showered and dressed, waited by the front door, ready to leave. They needed to get out of the house before he pushed for more intimacy than either of them was prepared for. He still tasted her cinnamon-coffee lips.

Shay trotted down the hall moments later, adjusting a duffel bag hanging from one shoulder, and her backpack on the other.

“Women sure pack a lot.” Aden reached for the duffel.

“This is for Olivia.” She smiled while handing it over. “Sorry it took so long. I forgot my phone on the charger.”

She took his breath away. How did he get so lucky? Beautiful simplicity. Black jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt skimmed over her. The leather jacket wasn’t buttoned, and he liked seeing his name emblazoned on the shirt. Yeah, it said Rock House Grill, but still. He averted his eyes. “No problem. I’m just anxious to see Liv.”

Locking the door behind them, they walked side by side out to the parking lot. Aden kept stealing glances at her until he spied the Rock House van. A long scratch ran across the logo on the hood and continued around the side. “Hey, somebody keyed my van.”

Shay dropped the backpack to the ground and walked around the delivery truck. “There’s a smashed light back here too.”

No one was in sight. He ran a hand over the scratch before hitting unlock, and the side door slid open. “It’s not too deep. I should be able to compound the scratch out.”

Shay came around the van and picked up the bags. “The light will need to be replaced, though. I’ll stop at the auto parts store after I drop you off.”

Aden grabbed one of the bags from her and placed it in the backseat. Once they were in the van and on the way, he glanced over at Shay. She hadn’t said much about them, and it worried him. “Is everything all right?

She gave him a quick glance, and then her attention switched back to the road. “Yes, why?”

“Just checking.” He tried to sound nonchalant. “You’re quiet. Everything has been happening quite quickly. I just want to make sure we’re good.”

“Honestly, Aden, I’m not sure what we are.” She took a deep breath and blew it out, lifting the hair off her forehead. “I’ll admit I like you, and I’m attracted to you. But we both have baggage, and right now mine has gotten bigger than yours.”

“I don’t think it’s bigger.” Aden went for light. “I believe we’re about even. You have a crazy ex. I have a crazy ex. You got arrested. I’ve got busted-up legs.” He winced. It had sounded better in his head.

Shay stiffened. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened, making her knuckles white. “This is not funny.”

“I’m sorry. That came out wrong.” That was not the way to ease her mind. He needed to convince her he cared.

Her grip on the wheel eased, and she breathed again. “Yeah, it did.”

“I meant we both have a lot going on. Heavy things. But Shay…” He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I don’t want to lose what I believe we can have.” Geez, he was blabbering like a kid. “There’s something between us, and I want to pursue it.”

Shay didn’t say anything right away. Her knuckles clutched the steering wheel again. A few moments of uncomfortable silence elapsed, and then she gave an almost imperceptible nod.

Aden’s heart sank. She was going to shoot him down.

“Aden…” Her voice cracked. “I’m still not sure about this. I mean, you’re my boss, and if things go south, I’m out of a job and could lose my credibility. But I’m not ready to let you go, either.”

“Good.” Thank God. Breathing a deep sigh of relief, he reached over and brushed a wisp of hair back from her cheek. When he glanced out of the window, they were already pulling into the hospital parking lot. “I understand your concerns, but we need to give us a chance.”

“I wish none of this happened. I wish we’d met in a normal way.” Shay parked the car, unclicked the seatbelt, and faced him. “Everything is rushing at us, and I feel out of control.”

“I don’t want to ruin things, and I know a lot is going on.” He needed to lay all his cards on the table. She needed to not only hear it but believe it. “I’m falling for you, Shay.”

He held her gaze and let the words hang there for a moment. She didn’t say anything but searched his face. Being in the van was like a confessional. Some of his best conversations with people had been within the confines of thirty-five hundred pounds of steel.

“I’ve heard those words before, Aden.” Her voice trembled, and she looked away. “They have the power to hurt.”

“I’ve never said them to a woman before.” He reached over, cupped the back of her neck, and pulled her close, so their foreheads touched. “I’ve never experienced these feelings. They’re grabbing my heart and squeezing.”

Shay pulled back.

Maybe he’d said too much. He watched in confusion as she reached down and grabbed the seat release, sliding the bucket back a few inches.

Carefully, she climbed over the center console and placed her knees on either side of him. Shay slipped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck.

Aden put one hand around her slim waist and the other around her shoulders, clasping her to him.

A few moments into the embrace, she whispered. “I’m falling for you too. Please don’t hurt me.”

He held her tight. “Nope, not going to happen.”