glanced over at him and saw him leaning back against the counter with a cup of coffee in his hand, staring at her.
She drew in a deep breath when Aidan asked, “How soon can we go riding?”
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.”
She narrowed her gaze at him. “You wouldn’t.”
“Trust me, I would. Confessing my sins will clear my conscience but will they clear yours? I’m not sure they would since you seem so wrapped up in not making any right or wrong impressions.”
She just sat there and said nothing. He figured she was at a loss for words and this would be the best time for him to leave her to her thoughts. “Let’s meet at the same place where we met yesterday in about an hour,” he said, walking off to place his cup in the dishwasher.
Before exiting the kitchen he turned back to her and said, “And just so you know, Jillian, the reason I’m not leaving today to return to Boston has nothing to do with some woman I met at the club last night, but it has everything to do with you.”
* * *
It has everything to do with you.
Not in her wildest dreams had Jillian thought seven little words could have such a huge impact on her. But they did. So much so that an hour later, she was back in the same place she’d been yesterday, waiting on Aidan.
She began pacing. Had she lost her mind? She wasn’t sure what kind of game he was playing but instead of putting her foot down and letting him know she wanted no part of his foolishness, somehow she got caught, hook, line and sinker.
And all because of a kiss.
She would have to admit, it had been more than just a kiss. The fact that he was a gorgeous man, a man she’d had a secret crush on for four years, probably had a lot to do with it. But she’d always been able to separate fact from fiction, reality from fantasy, good from bad. So what was wrong with her now? An association with Aidan would only bring on heartache because not only was she deceiving her sister and brother-in-law, and no doubt the entire Westmoreland family, but she was deceiving herself, as well. Why would she want to become involved with a man known as a womanizer?
But then, she really wasn’t involved with him. He was taking her riding, probably he would try to steal a few kisses and then nothing. Tomorrow he would return to Boston and she would return to Wyoming and it would be business as usual. But she knew for her it wouldn’t be that simple.
She turned when she heard his approach. Their gazes connected and a luscious shiver ran through her body. He rode just like he had yesterday and looked basically the same. But today something was different. Now she knew he had the mouth of a very sensual man. A mouth he definitely knew how to use.
“I was hoping you would be here,” he said, bringing his horse to a stop a few feet from her.
“Did you think I wouldn’t after what you threatened to do?”
“I guess not,” he said, dismounting.
“And you have no remorse?”
He tipped his Stetson back to gaze at her. “I’ve heard confession is good for the soul.”
“And just what would it have accomplished, Aidan?”
“Putting it out there would have cleared your conscience, since it obviously bothers you that someone might discover I’m attracted to you and that you’re attracted to me.”
She
