“It’s okay, Bill. Come on in so you and Molly can get some sleep tonight.”
She led him to the room where Aidan was sitting on the couch eating a spring roll, the flick paused on the flat screen. “Bill, this is my friend, Aidan Harrison. Aidan, this is Bill Toomey, sheriff of Birch Falls.”
Bill’s eyes went wide. Before he could say anything, Aidan stood and offered Bill his hand. “Sheriff. Good to see you again.”
“You, too, Mr. Harrison. I’m sorry. If I had known it was you I wouldn’t have bothered you.”
“No problem. I’m afraid we got caught up in a Monty Python marathon and lost track of time.”
“Yeah. Yeah, of course. Happens all the time.”
“Satisfied?” Mary asked, looking from one man to the other.
“What?” Bill turned around, his expression one of mild shock and embarrassment. “Oh, yeah. I’ll, uh, just leave you to your marathon then. I can show myself out. Thanks, Mary. Mr. Harrison.”
Mary followed Bill out to the foyer and slid the deadbolt behind him, wondering if she was the only person in Birch Falls who didn’t know Aidan.
She went back into the family room to find Aidan cleaning up. “How do you know Bill Toomey?”
Aidan shrugged. “I saw him at the Goddess a few times.”
“Why did he look at you like you were Kobe Bryant and Tom Brady rolled into one?”
“How do you know I’m not?” Aidan countered, slipping his arms around her waist and lowering his head to trail soft kisses along her jaw.
“Fine,” she said, tilting her head to give him better access. “You can keep your secrets, just as long as you keep doing that.”
He chuckled against her skin. “Are you really going to make me go home tonight?”
“Yes,” she said, though it was more of a moan than an actual word.
“But it’s cold out there.”
“Yes, it is. But if you don’t go, every one of my neighbors will be so scandalized I’ll have to move.”
“You’re a big girl,” he murmured, kissing along her jawline again, working his way up to nibble on her ear until her knees went weak again. “You’re allowed to have a life, aren’t you?”
“Aidan,” she groaned. “This is a small town. If you stay, my reputation will be ruined.”
*
That was enough to give him pause. He pulled away. Yes, he wanted to stay, but not if it would make things difficult for her. Their relationship was still too new, and he couldn’t be selfish. He, more than anyone, understood the need for discretion.
“Okay,” he breathed reluctantly. “But next time, I’m parking two blocks over and sneaking in.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. Mary wrapped her arms around his neck and went up on her toes, pressing her lips to the underside of his jaw. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll probably be dreaming of you all night.”
He groaned. He wanted to be there when she dreamed about him, so he could make those dreams an instant reality. “When can I see you again? Tomorrow?” he asked hopefully.
“Sundays are usually pretty busy for me,” she said, shaking her head. “Max and I spend the day at the retirement home. Want to do something next weekend?”
“Too far away,” he grumbled. He couldn’t wait that long.
“I have an appointment in Pine Ridge on Wednesday. Can you get away for lunch?”
Wednesday? It was only Saturday! What the hell was he supposed to do between now and then? “I guess,” he said, but he was disappointed.
“Lunch it is then. I’ll call you with a time, okay?”
“Okay.”
Aidan leaned over and kissed her, ensuring that he left her with a very vivid memory of what she could expect the next time they saw each other. Before she released him, she buried her face into his neck and inhaled deeply. It wasn’t the first time she’d done that, he’d noticed.
“Why do you do that?” he asked softly.
“Because,” she said, blushing, “you smell wonderful. I just need a fix to hold me for a couple of days.”
Chapter Nine
After spending the day with Mary, Aidan knew he wanted more. Sweet, intelligent, and caring, she had even managed to soothe the dark beast within. Dare he hope that she was the one he had been looking for?
All indications pointed that way. Of course, she thought he was just a regular guy working at the Goddess. Would things change once she learned the truth? Money changed people. It was a sad fact of life.
Aidan didn’t get where he was by throwing caution to the wind. He put a lot of stock into his instincts, but preferred they be backed up by something more substantial. Granted, his feelings for Mary were strong, but this wasn’t just about him. There were plenty of other things to consider, too.