He shook his head. “Kyle and his meat. Always obsessing.”
Their gazes met and they burst into laughter. The dogs looked up to see what they were missing, then flopped their heads back down. Figaro gave a pissed-off hiss and curled herself tighter around Aidan’s neck.
She loved that he didn’t shake the cat off or complain.
She loved that he settled back and watched the show she’d gotten him hooked on and didn’t find the need to chat endlessly during the episode.
She loved how he handed her the water every time he took a sip of whiskey because she couldn’t reach the table without bothering Baloo.
The show ended. They discussed the pros and cons of the new discovery, and when he went to turn the TV off, the channel clicked and John Wayne filled the screen. They both gasped in pleasure.
“The Quiet Man,” she breathed. “God, I love this movie.”
“A classic. Damn, it’s late. Should we do it?”
She nibbled on her lip. “What if we let ourselves sleep till five thirty? Just this once?”
He grinned. “Done. It’s halfway through, anyway.”
“We didn’t miss my favorite part!” she practically squealed.
“The part where he pushes her against the door and kisses her, right? Women love that part.”
A sigh escaped her. “Maureen O’Hara was so beautiful. She had Ophelia’s hair.”
“John Wayne was a complete badass. Always wanted to be him.”
She leaned toward the right and he leaned toward the left. With Baloo snugly between them, their heads rested a few inches apart on the sofa. The lash of his body heat and smell of man and whiskey filled the air. The old-fashioned movie delivered all the story points she demanded, along with a burning romance with a man a woman could believe in. As the movie unfolded, Harper fought back the sudden urge to reach her hand over to touch him.
But that would be against the rules.
During the famous kiss scene, her body revved to life until the seeping sexual tension filled the entire room, and their harsh breathing mixed together. Neither of them glanced at the other. Neither of them was ready to cross the invisible line.
When the credits rolled, they were silent for a long time. “That’s what I call a perfect movie,” she finally declared.
“Agreed. Looks like they’re having a John Wayne marathon this week. Maybe we can watch True Grit tomorrow.”
“Yes.” The thought of having a tomorrow together made her happy, but then she remembered that soon he’d return to the inn. “Guess it’s time for bed.” She went to get up.
“Harper?”
She stopped. “Yeah?”
“Something happened today. I think I screwed up.”
She frowned. “What is it?”
“I was talking to Fran while I was ordering our food, and of course, she was shooting off a ton of questions. I ended up letting it slip that I was staying with you.”
Her mouth dropped open. “That was you! Ophelia texted me and said it’s buzzing in town that we’re having an affair.”
He groaned and shifted on the couch. “I’m sorry, love. I wasn’t even thinking when I said it, and when I tried to explain, she didn’t want to hear it.”
“Sounds like Fran. At least now I know where the rumor started.”
“You pissed?”
She sighed and shook her head. “No, this stuff comes with the territory. I’m just not used to it. I’m sure the talk will die down once someone else does something around here.”
Aidan winced. “Judge Bennett was there, too.”
“Ah, crap. That means Owen may be watching us more closely.”
“Doubt the judge will tell his grandson.” He peered into her face, studying her with those heated golden eyes. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure. We’re an item, remember?”
This time, he didn’t smile. His features set into a carved mask. “Are you embarrassed because of the gossip? Or is it because you wouldn’t want your name to be associated with me?”
She blinked. “That’s a strange question. Are you asking me if I’d be ashamed to be involved in an affair with you?”
His jaw clenched. She ached to reach out and touch him. Ached to see if his stubble felt rough against her fingertips or if his lips were as soft as she imagined. “Yeah. I guess that’s what I’m asking.” He paused, as if suddenly uncomfortable. “But you don’t have to answer. It has nothing to do with our business relationship.” The reminder stung, even more so because he began to shut down again, turning away from her.
She didn’t want him to disappear into his own room and his own bed and leave her aching another night for something she didn’t even understand. “Aidan?” His name fell from her lips.
He turned back, and she noticed his muscles tense and bunch. “Yeah?”
“A woman would be crazy not to be proud to call you hers.”
The space between them heated, constricted, sizzled. Her breath caught in her chest, and time stilled and stretched, ready for one of them to make a move that would change everything. Sexual frustration and hunger gleamed in his eyes. He muttered in Irish and ripped his gaze away, his fingers clenching in Bagheera’s fur, as if fighting for resolve.
His voice rumbled like silken gravel. “Thank you, love.”
He got up from the sofa. Patted and said good night to the dogs. Took the cups back to the kitchen and then stood in the doorway of his room.
“Five thirty a.m.?” she asked.
“Yes. We’ll pair him with a few other horses tomorrow. See how he does.”
“Good.”
“Good night, Harper.”
“Good night, Aidan.”
Figaro lifted her head, staring at both of them with half-slit eyes. Then she jumped gracefully from the sofa and stalked into Aidan’s room.
Shocked, Harper stared at the cat’s tail swooshing and watched her jump up on the bed. “Does she sleep with you?” she asked.
“Sometimes. I leave the door cracked, but she doesn’t bother me.” He gave her one long, hard stare. “I like the comfort. The night can be lonely.”
With his words hanging in the air, he stepped back and disappeared into the room.
She sat for a while, thinking about what he’d said. Yes, animals helped when the night was long. But in that moment, she ached to be the one next to him, soothing his loneliness, wrapped in his arms.
When she stood up, she noticed her hands trembled. “Let’s go, babies,” she said.
The dogs jumped down and followed her into her own bed.
It was hours before she was finally able to fall asleep.
Chapter Eleven
Aidan finished settling Phoenix in his stall when he overheard Harper talking on the phone, her voice filled with worry. She clicked off, chewing on her lip in the trademark stressed-out gesture he now knew well.
“What’s the matter?” he called out.
She swiveled her head, those lovely brows creased in a frown. “Sara just called. She’s got a problem with a baby goat that was dropped off anonymously and never picked up.”
He shook his head. “Vets get injured animals all the time. Sons of bitches out there seem to think they’re a dump place that can solve all problems.”