The Secret Affair(21)

                                      Five

                Aidan couldn’t help staring into Jillian’s eyes. He thought she had the most beautiful eyes of any woman he’d ever seen. And that included all those women who’d thrown themselves at him last night.

                “I’m not going anywhere with you, Aidan. Besides, I’m sure the reason you changed your plans to remain in Denver another day has nothing to do with me.”

                Boy was she wrong. It had everything to do with her. He had spent three hours in a nightclub last night surrounded by beautiful women and all he could think about was the one he considered the most beautiful of all. Her.

                A possibility suddenly hit him. Was she jealous? Did she actually believe that crap Bailey had just spouted about him changing his schedule because of some woman? He didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed that she, or any woman, thought they mattered enough that they should care about his comings and goings. But in all honesty, what really annoyed him was that she was beginning to matter. And the reason he had decided to hang in Denver another day was because of her.

                Instead of saying anything right away, for fear he might say the wrong thing, he turned and refilled his coffee cup. Then he crossed the room and slid into the chair across from her. Immediately, he sensed her nervousness.

                “I don’t bite, Jillian,” he said, before taking a sip of coffee.

                “I hope not.”

                He couldn’t help but smile as he placed his cup down. He reached out and closed his fingers around her wrist. “Trust me. I prefer kissing you to biting you.”

                She pulled her hand back and nervously glanced over her shoulder before glaring at him. “Are you crazy? Anyone could walk in here!”

                “And?”

                “And had they heard what you just said they would have gotten the wrong impression.”

                He leaned back in his chair. “What do you think is the right impression?”

                Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he was tempted to reach out, release the clasp and watch the waves fall to her shoulders. Then he would run his fingers through the thick, black tresses. He could just imagine the light, gentle strokes on her scalp and the thought sent a sudden jolt of sexual need through him.

                “I don’t want to make any impression, Aidan. Right or wrong.”

                Neither did he. At least he didn’t think he did. Damn, the woman had him thinking crazy. He rubbed a frustrated hand down his face.

                “It was just a kiss, nothing more.”

                He looked over at her. Why was he getting upset that she thought that way when he should be thinking the same thing. Hadn’t he told her as much yesterday?

                “Glad you think that way,” he said, standing. “So let’s go riding.”

                “Didn’t you hear what I said?”

                He smiled down at her. “You’ve said a lot. What part in particular are you asking about?”

                She rolled her eyes. “I said I’m not going anywhere with you.”

                His smile widened. “Sure you are. We’re going riding because if we don’t, Bailey will think it’s because I did something awful and got you mad with me. And if she confronts me about it, I will have to confess and tell her the truth—that the reason you wouldn’t go riding with me is because you were afraid I might try to kiss you again. A kiss you can’t avoid enjoying.”