Aaron's gentle voice pulled her from her thoughts, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was just like everyone else. As soon as she was out of danger, he'd dump her at her doorstep and hop it back overseas.
Especially after what he’d pulled at the wedding. Her recent trauma didn’t make her forget his hurtful words.
“Nothing.” She tried to ease her hand from his.
“Nothing, huh?”
He wanted her to spill the beans about the little mental pity party going on her head? No way. “Just silently loving this outfit the good Sister gave me. How long do you think it’ll be before we touch down? I really need to hit up a TJ Maxx.”
“A what?”
“You know, get some real clothes...what I wouldn't give for a pair of Gianni Binni's and the latest DKNY romper.”
“You're telling me you just had a look like someone killed your dog…about your clothes?” Aaron asked incredulously.
“You carry a gun to make you feel comfortable, I dress in fashion.”And avoid topics like this at all costs.
“I know you're lying to me, but seeing as you've been through a lot of stress lately, I'll let it go this time.” Aaron shifted her closer.
As if she’d tell him anyway. “What are you doing?”
“Getting comfortable so I can hear the rest of your story, because I don't believe for one second you're worried about your clothes or your hair or any of that nonsense.”
“Have you looked at me recently? I could giveThe Walking Deada run for their money. No makeup, my hair flat as a board, and this...” She grabbed the tail of her tunic and gave a shudder of disgust.
Aaron grabbed her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “You're beautiful.”
Celine gasped at the instant stamp of heat his lips left on her skin. “Stop it.” Why was he acting like he hadn’t rejected her? “You’re insane.”
He immediately dropped her hand and a shadow crossed his face behind the grin. “I didn't go into the Special Forces because I was sane, honey.”
A cold shadow fell over him, and for some insane reason of her own, wanted to take back whatever she’d done to cause it. She grabbed his hand and he practically devoured her with his gaze and her body reacted. Her breasts went heavy and her tummy tingled. Jesus, she really did have a problem.
His gaze dropped to her lips, those molten baby browns darkened to nearly black. She was a goner. She knew it. She wanted him to kiss her again. Aaron Speirs could devour her and she'd forget everything. Maybe even the past few weeks.
He lowered his head, his lips hovered just above hers, his breath fanning across her face. She held still, afraid if she moved he might change his mind, he might pull away. She could practically feel the heat of his lips on hers.
He hung suspended there, out of reach, and then he dropped her hand and pulled away. Needles pricked her heart and she sucked in a breath. He picked her up from his lap and sat her next to him, as if he had to put distance between them or throw up or something.
Just like at the wedding. Heat suffused her face and she turned quickly away before he could see the tears his rejection caused. Was he waking up from his hero syndrome now that he’d safely rescued his damsel in distress?
He got up and paced the cabin. “Celine, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried that, not right after your ordeal.”
“What do you mean?” She hastily wiped away the wetness in her eyes. She wouldn’t put herself out there again. She couldn’t.
He cast a wary glance her way. “I mean, after, you know…” Aaron waved his hands in her direction.
She dropped her brows and a frown tugged at her lips. “After what? My kidnapping?”
“You were raped and I’m pawing at you like a beast.”
She froze, fear milking the heat from her body. “When I was drugged? You saw them, I was – “
“I didn’t see anything but the bruises.”
Celine swallowed convulsively. “I thought the Sisters said I was fine.”
Aaron cut across the cabin and dropped to a knee in front of her, taking her hand in his. His tortured expression raked across her like shards of ice. “You weren’t recently, but those bruises aren’t more than a week old. Look, you don’t have to talk about what happened in the beginning, with the first man, but I swear I’d rather die than make you feel uncomfortable.”
