She was a mass of contradictions tonight. That dress with its revealing neckline sent out one message that contradicted every word she spoke about what she was looking for in her life. Or more specifically, what she didn’t want. Even as she held him almost literally at arm’s length, her demeanor and questions invited him into a more personal relationship. Aidan didn’t know what to make of her. He certainly couldn’t see that they were headed in the direction that was expected by a whole slew of O’Briens.
And yet there was that undeniable spark of electricity, the one they were both so determinedly ignoring.
When the waiter returned with the warm cake with its dark chocolate interior and ice cream melting into that fudgy moistness, he watched as Liz dipped her spoon into the gooey concoction, then put it into her mouth, closing her eyes with a moan of pleasure.
Desire ricocheted through him like a heat-seeking missile. Dessert—at least this particular one with this particular woman—had definitely been a bad idea. It was putting thoughts into his head that had nothing to do with food. That was something that had never happened before. Usually he was content just to observe his date’s enjoyment of something she usually denied herself.
Liz had eaten several bites before she noticed that he’d had none. “Hey, you promised to eat your share.”
“It’s more fun watching you savor every spoonful,” he admitted candidly, though he did pick up his spoon and take a tiny bite. The dark chocolate burst on his tongue in all its promised decadence. He could see why it had sent her into raptures. “Not bad.”
She laughed at the understatement. “I defy you not to take another bite. It’s addictive. Admit it.”
Aidan put down his spoon to prove a point, but Liz waved hers under his nose. The aroma alone was enough to have his mouth watering. He snagged it from her hand. “Okay, you win. It’s addictive.”
She sat back, seemingly satisfied with his response. “How on earth will I ever work off all those calories?”
“Not that you need to worry about that,” he said, “but how about a walk on the deck out back? It looks as if it runs along the waterfront far enough to give us a little bit of a workout.”
“Perfect,” she said at once.
“I’ll get the waiter.”
Aidan paid the bill and held out his hand. After a faint hesitation, Liz slipped hers into his, then followed him outside. She paused long enough to remove her shoes, leaving her barefoot as they strolled side by side.
“It is so beautiful,” she whispered, pausing to stand by the railing.
A full moon glistened in a silvery path across the bay. As Aidan stood beside her, he couldn’t seem to keep his gaze off her face. She looked especially soft and radiant in the moonlight. Her pale pink lips were more tempting than any of the decadent desserts on the menu had been, and that was saying something. Even that chocolate lava cake couldn’t compare when it came to pure temptation.
Before he could resist, he touched her cheek, then leaned down, brushing his mouth across hers. Unsure of his welcome, it began as a gentle, tentative touch. In less time than it took for their breath to mingle, though, it changed into something more, something hot and demanding, as darkly delicious as that chocolate. The air seemed charged with electricity. His blood hadn’t pumped this hard after his five-mile run first thing this morning.
Reluctantly, he pulled away and looked into her dazed eyes.
“You okay?” he asked.
“A little stunned,” she admitted. “It wasn’t supposed to be like that.”
He smiled at her unexpected candor. “So, Miss Liz, you’ve been imagining our first kiss? What was it supposed to be like?”
“No, of course not,” she claimed, clearly flustered. “I meant it wasn’t supposed to happen at all.” A frown settled on her face. “We can’t do that again, Aidan.” She said it with as much starch as a librarian trying to quiet an unruly patron.
“Oh, I think we will,” he corrected, convinced that the barriers they’d been putting up had just come crashing down around both of them. Knowing how quickly a fire had flared between them wasn’t something either of them was likely to forget or ignore, no matter how hard they tried.
She backed up a step, shaking her head. “No. I mean it, Aidan. This just can’t happen.”
It suddenly registered that she wasn’t just being coy. “Why not? You’re single, right? I thought I heard you were a widow, in fact.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m fair game,” she said with surprising ferocity.
Aidan was startled by her angry reaction. “Of course not.” He regarded her with worry, fearing he’d crossed some line he’d never even imagined was there. “Liz, what’s going on? If you’re genuinely not interested in anything more than being friends, just say so.”
“Haven’t I said that more than once?” she asked with real frustration.
“I’d like to know why, if you’re willing to explain.”
“Can’t you just accept that’s the way it has to be?” she asked plaintively.
“If that’s the way it has to be, then of course I can,” he conceded. “But that kiss said something else. I think it would be a shame not to share a few more of those to see where this might lead.”
“I disagree.”
“Is this about that one-year deal I signed? You don’t think I’m capable of commitment?”
“Maybe a little,” she said. “But it’s more than just that.”
“Please explain. I might be able to put your mind at ease.” A sudden thought struck him. “Is it the tabloids? I know they made me out to be a playboy when I first played professionally, but that was so far from the truth it was laughable.”
“I don’t follow the tabloids,” she assured him. “This is just for the best, Aidan. Let’s leave it at that.”
He bit back a sigh at her stubborn refusal to explain. He could sense a real fear of some kind
